
Aviation
For more than 90 years, Saft has been designing and manufacturing high-tech aircraft battery systems and products for the world's most demanding aviation customers.
2/3 of the world's fleet
90 years of experience
>300,000 batteries produced
400+ off-the-shelf batteries
I’m looking for product or technical documentation
Let's discuss your project
Discover Saft's battery systems for the aviation industry
Saft’s proven nickel-cadmium (Ni-Cd) and lithium-ion (Li-ion) aircraft battery solutions are critical to safety, providing high-peak-power for engine or auxiliary power unit (APU) starting and emergency backup power.
They outperform lead-acid batteries in both power and reliability, offering a long and predictable service life with no risk of ‘sudden death’ failure.
Our in-house development and production capabilities, tailor-made solutions, and manufacturing production facilities in France and the United States ensure optimized maintenance, safety, maximum service life, and superior performance. Consequently, even with the cost of maintenance included, Saft provides a lower total cost of ownership (TCO) compared to other aviation battery providers.
At Saft, we produce over 400 different battery designs to suit virtually every requirement, each optimized for energy and power, guaranteeing integration with the electrical architecture of all fixed-wing and helicopter aircraft – even drones. We can do this thanks to close cooperation between our teams and all the major aircraft OEMs over the whole product lifecycle.
Ni-Cd and ULM® aircraft battery systems
Saft's advanced Ni-Cd technology, used in ULM aircraft batteries from major manufacturers such as Airbus and Boeing, is renowned for its low Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) due to reduced maintenance and extended life. These batteries are critical to flight safety and meet over 100 qualification criteria.
ULM performance hinges on our plastic bonded electrode (PBE) technology. This engineering solution measurably reduces water consumption due to a reduction in overcharge current compared to sintered technology. Thanks to PBE technology, our ULM aircraft batteries provide added safety and longer life, even at high operating temperatures.
The following features offer the ideal combination to enable significant reduction in the TCO for commercial and military aircraft:
- Intelligent: Along with smart design of separators between cells, temperature sensors prevent any risk of thermal runaway
- Long service life: High-quality proprietary membrane and separator between the electrode plates inside cells extends the service life
- Safe: Nylon vent valves on each cell ensure safety
- Robust: Batteries recover from the most extreme conditions, including deep discharge
- Durable: Nickel-plated copper cell links and terminals for maximum durability
- Protective: Cells are housed inside leak-proof thermo-welded containers
- Efficient: Seam-welding of tabs onto electrode plates ensures efficient energy transfer
- Easy exchange: System is designed for an easy exchange of individual cells instead of replacing the entire battery
- Tough: Maintenance-free, stainless steel case provides extreme toughness.

Key benefits of Saft’s Ni-Cd aircraft battery systems
- Reduced maintenance: Our PBE technology reduces maintenance requirements by over 50 percent
- Long service life: Smart design, high-quality materials and solid construction extend life by up to 10 years
- Less weight: The use of lightweight PBEs reduces fuel consumption
- Exceptional storage life: Allows long-term storage of up to 10 years without any intervention
- Easily replaceable spare parts: Designed for individual cell replacement at a low cost
- For new or retrofit installations: Form, fit, and function is interchangeable, streamlining spare parts inventories and with no need to modify aircraft
- Supporting environmental sustainability: Over 75 percent of materials from returned, spent batteries are extracted for reuse. Saft’s worldwide network of collection partners recycle our batteries, in full compliance with local, national and international laws

Li-ion aircraft batteries
The aviation industry is moving towards hybrid and electric aircraft as cleaner and more efficient alternatives to traditional engines. Li-ion technology is key to this transformation.
For over 15 years, Saft has been at the forefront of developing advanced lithium-ion battery systems for the aviation industry. Our expertise ensures reliable, efficient and safe power solutions, supporting the move towards greener skies.
Our Li-ion aircraft battery systems comply with the highest standards, including DO-254*, DO-178B* and DO-311A*, and are adapted to More Electric Aircraft (MEA) platforms to ensure support for increased electrical demands.

The challenges of creating the aviation batteries of the future
Battery-powered hybrid and full electric propulsion systems hold promise for the aviation industry as they can significantly reduce aircraft CO2 and NOx emissions, as well as noise. However, propulsion batteries for aviation come with a range of obstacles, including cell selection, total energy storage requirements, space availability and the need to comply with standards and certification.
The challenge for the sector lies in increasing the energy and power density of lithium aircraft battery systems and optimizing aircraft integration solutions while making sure they remain safe. The rise of new chemistries, and especially solid-state technology, will be a game changer for the industry. With a strong focus on solid-state battery technology, Saft is already a leading player in this emerging market.
Our nickel-cadmium (ULM®/Sintered-Sintered) and lithium-ion batteries offer a long and predictable service life with no risk of sudden failure, ensuring maximum safety and performance. They meet over 100 different qualification criteria, upholding the highest safety standards for flight-critical functions.

World-class support network
Meet our advanced batteries for Aviation
Revolutionize your business with advanced battery technology from Saft!
ULM® (Ultra Low-Maintenance) Ni-Cd batteries

Saft has more than 400 off-the-shelf batteries with a large variety of technical specifications. Custom-engineered solutions are developed as required.
AOG contacts
Saft has three Aircraft on Ground (AOG) service partners, all of which hold Saft aviation batteries and parts in warehouses around the world. To find out more, please ring one of the following three hotlines:
- Boeing Distribution (formerly Avail) 24/7 AOG Hotline +1 972 586 1985
- Proponent (formerly D+C Airparts) 24/7 AOG Hotline +1 205 650 4938 ext.3
- Satair 24/7 AOG hotline +45 4040 1224

Find out how Saft can meet your Aviation applications.
*DO-254: Guidelines for developing and certifying airborne electronic hardware.
*DO-178B: Standards for developing and verifying software in airborne systems.
*DO-311A: Safety standards for rechargeable lithium battery systems in aircraft.