Saft will provide two ULM batteries per aircraft for AVIC MA700 advanced turboprop regional aircraft. AVIC XAC Commercial Aircraft Co., a subsidury of AVIC, manufactures the MA700: an 80-seat level turboprop plane designed for short and medium-route travel.
Designed for high performance at elevated temperature and altitude, the MA700 is expected to embark on its maiden flight in 2020. Saft’s products will form an integral part of this project, building on its existing work as a provider of batteries for AVIC MA60 and MA600 programs as well as COMAC’s ARJ21 and C919 jetliners.
The ULMbatteries provide safe and reliable power to start the Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) as well as emergency backup for critical systems. The ULM battery technology was selected as it offers the ideal combination of high performance, low weight and ultra-low maintenance requirements that enable significant reductions in the total cost of ownership (TCO) for the battery.
Saft’s ULM batteries are designed, manufactured and assembled in Bordeaux (France).