AVIATION CAPITAL GROUP BREAK Ex-Im FUNDING RECORD
12th September 2012
Although Airbus has reiterated its confidence that the lithium ion (Li-ion) main battery architecture it has been developing with Saft and qualifying for the A350 XWB aircraft is robust and safe, since the root causes of the two recent industry Li-ion main batteries incidents remain unexplained, it has decided to activate its “Plan B” and therefore to revert back to the proven and mastered nickel cadmium main batteries for its A350 XWB programme at Entry into Service (EIS).
“Airbus considers this to be the most appropriate way forward in the interest of programme execution and A350 XWB reliability.”
“In parallel, Airbus has also launched additional maturity studies on Li-ion main batteries behaviour in aerospace operations and will naturally take on board the findings of the on-going official investigation.
“As a result of making this decision now, Airbus does not expect it to impact the A350 XWB Entry Into Service schedule.”