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This paper will summarize the details of replacing the EA-6B Sealed Nickel-Cadmium (SNC) batteries in an effort to reduce battery maintenance and battery maintenance costs. A flight evaluation program is presently underway at two locations to validate the proposed change from SNC batteries to Valve Regulated Lead-Acid (VRLA) batteries. The EA-6B aircraft currently uses two 26-volt SNC batteries, military part number (MIL PN) D8565/1-1, and one 24-volt SNC battery, part number MS17334-2. The SNC batteries are scheduled for maintenance every 112 days, which requires removal and replacement of the batteries at the O-level and battery maintenance at the I-level (battery shop). A load check is required every 28 days on the aircraft in accordance with the Maintenance Requirement Card (MRC).

This paper will summarize the details of replacing the CH-53E and MH-53E crashworthy batteries to improve system reliability, safety of flight and to reduce battery maintenance and battery maintenance costs. A flight evaluation program is presently underway at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) New River, North Carolina to validate the proposed change from Sealed Nickel-Cadmium (SNC) batteries to Sealed Lead-Acid (SLA) batteries. Under the sponsorship of the Commander, Naval Air Systems Command the Crane Division, Naval Surface Warfare Center identified a SLA battery as a replacement for the SNC battery currently being used in the CH-53E and MH-53E aircraft. The replacement battery is a direct form, fit, and function replacement for the SNC battery. It is presently planned that the SLA battery will have a one-year inspection period and a replacement cycle of three years.

In the continuing effort to save Fleet Operations and Maintenance (O&M) costs, a united effort was launched to propose the replacement of the Nickel-Cadmium battery on the F-5 aircraft with a valve-regulated, sealed lead-acid battery. The Aging Aircraft IPT (AAIPT) at Naval Air Systems Command, Patuxent River (PAX River), Maryland presented the concept to the Value Engineering group at Defense Supply Center Richmond, Virginia and successfully obtained funding for this and other Aging Aircraft efforts. The AAIPT then approached the Propulsion and Power Division of Naval Air Systems Command (AIR-4.4.4.1) as the cognizant engineering activity over batteries. AIR-4.4.4.1 then requested the assistance of Crane Division of Naval Surface Warfare Center (NSWC Crane) to develop a test plan and a Memorandum of Agreement and to obtain flight test authority as well as conduct the flight test.

Batteries have been and are still an important component of the aircraft direct current (DC) power system. Batteries can be used for various functions aboard the aircraft, such as, auxiliary power unit starting, canopy operation, refueling, lighting, emergency power, fight control backup or a combination of functions. It is not uncommon, in modern aircraft, that the battery requirements have to be tailored to meet the unique operational, size, weight, and shape requirements of the aircraft. The specific requirements of the F/A-18E/F Super Hornet aircraft and related battery issues will be discussed.