Boeing 787 Dreamliner Updates on Battery Issue

Boeing completes certification testing for new 787 battery system

Boeing Provides Details on 787 Battery Improvements

Boeing 787 Dreamliner Updates on Battery Issue

FAA approves the certification for a battery solution

EVERETT, Wash., March 12, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) has received approval from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) of the company's plan to test and certify improvements to the 787's battery system. Successful completion of each step within the plan will result in the FAA's approval to resume commercial 787 flights.

"Our top priority is the integrity of our products and the safety of the passengers and crews who fly on them," said Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney. "Our team has been working around the clock to understand the issues and develop a solution based on extensive analysis and testing following the events that occurred in January. Today's approval from the FAA is a critical and welcome milestone toward getting the fleet flying again and continuing to deliver on the promise of the 787," he said.

Ray Conner, president and chief executive officer of Boeing Commercial Airplanes, said that the company's focus has been on developing a permanent resolution.

"Working with internal and external experts in battery technology, we have proposed a comprehensive set of solutions designed to significantly minimize the potential for battery failure while ensuring that no battery event affects the continued safe operation of the airplane," said Conner.

"Our proposal includes three layers of improvements. First, we've improved design features of the battery to prevent faults from occurring and to isolate any that do. Second, we've enhanced production, operating and testing processes to ensure the highest levels of quality and performance of the battery and its components. Third, in the unlikely event of a battery failure, we've introduced a new enclosure system that will keep any level of battery overheating from affecting the airplane or being noticed by passengers," Conner said.

Design feature improvements for the battery include the addition of new thermal and electrical insulation materials and other changes. The enhanced production and testing processes include more stringent screening of battery cells prior to battery assembly. Operational improvements focus on tightening of the system's voltage range. A key feature of the new enclosure is that it ensures that no fire can develop in the enclosure or in the battery. Additional details of the new design will be provided by Boeing in the days ahead.

Boeing made its certification plan proposal to the FAA in late February. Today the agency agreed that the proposed changes and the detailed test plans address the conditions that resulted in the suspension of 787 operations.

The FAA also granted Boeing permission to begin flight test activities on two airplanes: line number 86, which will conduct tests to demonstrate that the comprehensive set of solutions work as intended in flight and on the ground; and ZA005, which is scheduled to conduct engine improvement tests unrelated to the battery issue. Additional testing may be scheduled as needed.

The certification plan calls for a series of tests that show how the improved battery system will perform in normal and abnormal conditions. The test plans were written based on the FAA's standards as well as applicable guidelines published by the Radio Technical Commission on Aeronautics (RTCA), an advisory committee that provides recommendations on ways to meet regulatory requirements. The RTCA guidelines were not available when the original 787 battery certification plan was developed.

"We have a great deal of confidence in our solution set and the process for certifying it," said Conner. "Before 787s return to commercial service, our customers and their passengers want assurance that the improvements being introduced will make this great airplane even better. That's what this test program will do."

Source: Boeing

Press Release – FAA Approves Boeing 787 Certification

For Immediate Release

March 12, 2013
Contact: Laura J. Brown
Phone: (202) 267-3455

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According to Boeing Randy's journal, Dated March 12, 2013, Randy said that "Today, we got good news from the FAA that they’ve given us the go ahead to start testing and certifying our solution to the 787 battery issue. By successfully completing each step in that plan, the FAA will allow the fleet to return to service..." Flight test activities will begin on two airplanes. Line Number 86 will conduct tests to demonstrate what Boeing company's solution works as intended in flight and on the ground.

Meanwhile, ZA005 will conduct engine improvement tests unrelated to the battery issue. Boeing may do additional testing if needed.

The 787 Dreamliner applies breakthrough technologies to an all-new airplane design. The advanced features of the 787 increase efficiency, simplify airplane ownership and operation, and significantly improve the air travel experience.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner ordered by the great company like this link shows.

Boeing Commercial President, CEO Ray Conner stated that Boeing's proposal includes three layers of improvements with the following:

According to FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta, FAA is confident the plan that thay aproved which includes all the right elements to conduct a comprehensive evaluation of the battery system redesign. This announcement starts a testing process which will demonstrate whether the proposed fix will work as designed which FAA has approved limited test flights for two aircraft. These aircraft will have the prototype versions of the new containment system installed. The purpose of the flight tests will be to validate the aircraft instrumentation for the battery and battery enclosure testing in addition to product improvements for other systems that carrys the safety of the passengers and crews who fly on them is the top priority which was emphasized by Boeing Chairman, President and CEO Jim McNerney.

The NTSB’s investigation of the JAL 787 battery fire is continuing along with Boeing’s continuing support and working together. Below are activities that are either currently underway or planned by each of the investigative groups. The scope of the testing and examinations may change as investigative data are collected:

System Safety and Certification Group are working deligently accordingly with the following:

Examine the safety assessment process used to evaluate the lithium-ion battery design, including the underlying assumptions, tests, and data that support conclusions used in the analysis.

Review the testing and analysis done by Boeing, Thales, and GS Yuasa to characterize the cell and battery failure conditions.

Document and examine the flow-down of design and manufacturing requirements that have an impact on the failure modes of interest within the battery and cells.

Research and document the evolution of safety analysis standards as they relate to evaluating and mitigating safety risks for lithium-ion battery cells and battery packs.

Review and document the certification process steps taken to evaluate the battery design against the FAA’s special conditions and examine the roles and responsibilities of the FAA, Boeing, Thales, and GS Yuasa in that process.

Environmental Issue Area

Document and evaluate the toxicity of combustion byproducts that accompany lithium-ion battery fires.

Document 787 lower lobe ventilation system strategies for clearing combustion byproducts resulting from lithium-ion battery fires to evaluate the effectiveness of mitigation strategies used to address occupant protection certification requirements.

The NTSB’s investigation into the probable cause of the 787 battery fire at BOS is continuing. The NTSB is also continuing to review the design, certification, and manufacturing processes for the 787 lithium-ion battery system while the Boeing Company is continue to support and working together.

Further detail information is available via NTSB

Meanwhile, Boeing continue to monitoring the 787 which The Boeing average number of flights AHM monitors on a typical day 787s send an aerage of 787verage of 136 reports per day. Which AHM works for Data from onboard systems and engines is routinely captured in flight and transmitted in real time to the airline’s ground operations. When any issue surfaces, major or minor, airline personnel receive alerts delivered through the Internet, e-mail, fax or pager services.

Boeing's high tech customer service is continue which the AHM has been on board the 787 Dreamliner since the beginning. So far, AHM has monitored 50,000 787 flight-hours which was enabled Boeing to support customers in near real time, increasing 787 schedule reliability. For example, when AHM discovered a software issue with flight controls that began to cause delays in the fleet, it became clear that the airline could not wait for the next regularly scheduled software update to address the problem. Boeing fixed it immediately. Detail information available via Boeing site:

Sources:Boeing, FAA, Bloomberg,
catch4all.com, Sandra Englund March 7th, 2013.

According to Reuters, Dated, February 28th, 2013, The Boeing has the PERMANENT SOLUTION for the Battery solution.

Following talks with Japan's transport minister Akihiro Ota on Thursday, Boeing's Conner said the company's proposal to the FAA was a permanent solution, not an interim fix.

"We see nothing in the technology that tells us that it is not the appropriate thing to do. The solution set we put in place provides three layers of protection," he said in response to a reporter's question on whether Boeing would consider dropping the lithium-ion battery from the lightweight, fuel-efficient Dreamliner.

"We feel this solution takes into account any possible incident that may occur, any casual factor that could cause an event, and we are very confident we have a fix that will be permanent and allow us to continue with the technology."

Earlier, Boeing spokesman Marc Birtel said investigations had not shown that overcharging was a factor, and he noted the 787 had quadruple-redundant protection against overcharging. He did not respond directly to comments about GS Yuasa, but said Boeing was coordinating with key suppliers.

No comment was immediately available from Securaplane Technologies Inc, a U.S. unit of Britain's Meggitt Plc, which makes the charger for the 787 batteries.

All Nippon Airways and Japan Airlines operate nearly half of the Dreamliners that Boeing has delivered to date.

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There are 13,000 Boeing airplanes in the worldwide commercial airplane fleet. They were all built using this robust and exhaustive approach to quality and supplier management. In the next 20 years, that number of airplanes is expected to double. Airline customers and the flying public can count on the Boeing supplier management program and the company’s compliance with established industry regulatory standards to ensure that the airplanes they fly are safe and technically sound.

The Boeing Exteded Global Supply Chain: 783 million parts are procured in one year: 737 (400) 767 (3.1 million parts) 787 (2.3 million parts) 777 (3 million parts) 747-8 (6 million parts) $28 Billion psend 5,400 factories 500,000 people around the world. All of these global Boeing suppliers also applyting the highest technologies up to date.

The world cannot afford not to be making 1000 percent for sure to be safe as maximum as possible like all human and all possilbe living while we are making the fastest global communication and global transportation around the world. If we not carefully using the product, it could be loosing human lifes in a second which is the top priority for the safety issues for any compannies, there is no differences for Boeing suppliers and partners.

Deputy Transportation Secretary John Porcari, FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta and other FAA officials have met with senior executives from The Boeing Company and discussed on February 22nd, 2013 which the status of ongoing work to address 787 battery issues.

The FAA is reviewing a Boeing proposal and will analyze it closely. The safety of the flying public is our top priority and FAA won't allow the 787 to return to commercial service until we're confident that any proposed solution has addressed the battery failure risks. Meanwhile, Boeing Commercial President, CEO Ray Conner have met with Japan's transport minister Akihiro Ota San on February 28th, 2013. The report shows that the Boeing's President, CEO, Ray Conner said the company's proposal to the FAA was a permanent solution, not an interim fix.

The U.S. Federal Aviation Administration is considering the plan. All 50 of the technologically-advanced Dreamliners in service have been grounded since mid-January after a battery fire on a Japan Airlines Co Ltd 787 at Boston airport and a second battery incident on an All Nippon Airways Co Ltd flight in Japan.

According to AP, The president of All Nippon Airways, Boeing's biggest single customer said on Friday that he believes the U.S. manufacturer has made progress in resolving problems with the aircraft's lithium-ion batteries. said Friday that he believes the U.S. manufacturer has made progress in resolving problems with the aircraft's lithium-ion batteries. Although, the 787s being grounded worldwide for over a month, depends partly on the approval process by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, said Shinichiro Ito san, who took up the positions of president of ANA Holdings Inc. and chairman of All Nippon Airways on Thursday.

"It isn't up to me to say how far they've gotten in resolving this," Ito said, after ANA management met earlier this week with Boeing Comercial President and CEO Ray Conner. While Boeing Commercial President and CEO Ray Conner visiting Tokyo, his was discussing to Japanese transport regulators and airlines his company's proposal for fixing the problems with overheating of the 787's lithium-ion batteries.

"If the battery problem is resolved, I am confident the aircraft will be fine," Ito san said. "Once the (Boeing proposal) is approved, we will discuss when to resume operations." and report shows that ANA is expecting to be released and capable to fly before June with according to the tight schedule to be fit which ANA has extended the cancellations of its 787 flights to May 31, with the total number of flights affected at nearly 3,600, involving some 167,820 passengers. JAL has cancelled its 787 flights through Mar. 30.

Boeing's plan, presented to U.S. regulators last week, calls for revamping the batteries to prevent potential short-circuiting from spreading from any one battery cell to others.

Officials in the U.S. said Boeing would fix the problem with the batteries overheating by having more robust ceramic insulation around each of the battery's eight cells so as to prevent any thermal runaway, a chemical reaction that leads to progressively hotter temperatures that was found in damaged batteries in JAL and ANA incidents.

"This solution takes into account any possible event that might occur," Conner said. "We see nothing in the technology that would tell us it's not the appropriate thing to do," he said.

The aircraft has suffered from early in-service problems, notably fires on board related with its lithium-ion batteries. These systems are being reviewed by both the FAA and the Japanese aviation agency. On January 16, 2013, the FAA issued an emergency airworthiness directive that grounds all 787s in the U.S. The EASA, Japanese Transport Ministry, India's Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA), and Chile's Dirección General de Aeronautica Civil (DGAC) followed suit and grounded the Dreamliners in their respective jurisdictions.

The Boeing 787 Dreamliner soon to be overcome like all of us and many are having expectation, in time service of FAA with an economical and quality - reliable service which they have been in many ways.

FAA Press ReleaseF

The safety of the flying public is FAA's top priority

February 22nd, 2013

According to FAA, Press release immediate release dated February 22nd, 2013,
FAA Statement shows that Deputy Transportation Secretary John Porcari, FAA Administrator Michael P. Huerta and other FAA officials met with senior executives from The Boeing Company planed to discuss on February 22nd, 2013 which the status of ongoing work to address 787 battery issues. The FAA is reviewing a Boeing proposal and will analyze it closely. The safety of the flying public is our top priority and we won't allow the 787 to return to commercial service until we're confident that any proposed solution has addressed the battery failure risks.

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Mike Sinnett, 787 VP and Chief Project Engineer, provided a brief overview of the Electrical and battery systems for Boeing 787 Dreamliner on February 12, 2013.

Boeing described all about the Lithium Ion Batteries that how the efficient energy creation, distribution for use of better power control, and how the battery makes the advantages. Meanwhile Boeing stressed "Lithium Battery Is The Right Technology".

Mike Sinnett, 787 VP and Chief Project Engineer describes More efficient energy creation, distribution for use of Better power control which describes automatic monitoring for better airplane availability Airplane Health Management, More fuel efficient, Fewer maintenance tasks, Lower maintenance costs, Better reliability, Less drag and reduces noise. Boeing also described detail of Parts of the 787 battery via presentation.

Boeing also emphasized that how the battery will take the advantages which will give more energy, more quickly, re-charges faster, lighter which reduces the weigh 30 percent less and it is effectively more compact. Boeing also described the system that makes controls and distributes power to run airplane systems to Flight deck displays, Hydraulic system, lighting, in-flight entertainment and for many others. Even so, redundant systems and backups provide layer of safety which it can run on electricity from ground carts on the ground for airplane.

NTSB is under investigating APU battery fault for Boeing 787 Dreamliner since January 2013 after the battery incident was happened in January, 2013. And Main battery fault is under investigation by the JTS. Boeing has history 2.2 milion cell-hours in operations (includes Boeing and airline ground and flight hours, eight cells per battery) for Prior to January 2013. Boeing also 50,000 hours flying and there was No battery incident events on an airplane and Standard battery issues, comparable with other airplanes.

Boeing Described all about the Boeing 787 Dreamliner Battery proceeding in Boeing. According to the Bloomberg news dated Feb 21st, 2013, Boeing will present a battery redesign for the 787 Dreamliner tomorrow in a bid to satisfy regulators’ safety concerns and get the jet back into the air within weeks, people with knowledge of the proposal said.

Bloomberg also reported that A team led by Boeing Commercial Airplanes President Ray Conner is scheduled to meet in Washington with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration, including Administrator Michael Huerta, the people said. Any repairs would be subject to FAA approval, and the agency isn’t expected to act immediately unless tests show the fixes can ensure safety, the people said.

New York Times dated Feb. 20th, 2013, Boeing has developed possible fixes for the battery problems in its grounded 787 jets and could have them back in the air within two months, industry and federal officials said Wednesday.

The officials said Boeing has narrowed down the ways the lithium-ion batteries on the jetliners could fail, and believes that adding insulation between the cells of the batteries and making other changes would provide enough assurance that they would be safe to use.

Raymond L. Conner, the president of Boeing’s commercial airplane division, plans to propose the fixes in a Friday meeting with Michael P. Huerta, the head of the Federal Aviation Administration. Mr. Huerta is not expected to approve the changes immediately, but the meeting is likely to start a high-level discussion on the standards Boeing needs to meet as it tests the fixes and seeks to get the planes flying again.

Boeing’s plan could be a pivotal moment in the history of the innovative fuel-efficient planes. Mr. Huerta and regulators around the world grounded the planes in mid-January after a battery caught fire on one jet parked at the Boston airport and smoke forced another 787 to make an emergency landing in Japan.

Investigators have not determined what caused those problems. But Boeing’s engineers have worked closely with the F.A.A. and outside experts to identify ways in which the batteries could have failed, and Boeing is now asking the government to sign off on a calculation that they have now come up with a safer design.

Given the risks in moving ahead, federal officials said, the F.A.A. has insisted behind the scenes that Boeing needed to come up with changes to prevent failures at the same time as it proposed further steps to wall off problems with the batteries and vent any smoke or fire outside the planes.

¶ Boeing officials said they had also hoped to make all the fixes at once rather than dividing them into temporary and longer-term changes. By delaying some changes, Boeing could have been exposed to more problems.

As a result, one big change under Boeing’s plan would be to redesign the batteries to place insulation inside and around each of the eight cells to minimize the risk that a short circuit or fire in one of the cells could spread to the others, as investigators have said occurred on the battery that caught fire in Boston on Jan. 7. Boeing might also adjust how tightly the batteries are packed.

Boeing would make other changes within the batteries to reduce the chance that vibrations, swelling or moisture could cause problems, industry officials said. Boeing has already been testing some of the changes. The plane maker believes it could rebuild the batteries by next month on the 50 jets that have been delivered to airlines. But federal officials are likely to move more slowly and demand more tests and assurances, and the final decision could rest with Mr. Huerta’s supervisors at the Transportation Department.

Federal officials said that if the fixes check out, the jets could start flying again by April. Boeing will also have to win back the confidence of the flying public.

The company has orders for 800 additional planes. The jets rely as well on lightweight carbon composites and more efficient engines.

The lithium-ion batteries weigh less but provide more energy than conventional batteries, and the 787s make greater use of them than other planes. The stakes are substantial for Boeing, which will have to pay penalties to some of the airlines that have been unable to use them. Boeing also cannot deliver more of the planes while they are grounded.

Boeing awarded the contract for the batteries to GS Yuasa, a Japanese firm, in 2005, and it won approval from the F.A.A. to use the batteries in 2007. Concerned about fires with smaller lithium-ion batteries in cellphones and laptops, the agency placed special conditions on Boeing’s use of the batteries that required containment and venting measures that have proved inadequate.

The U.S. National Transportation Safety Board has concluded a short-circuit in a battery cell led to the Jan. 7 fire in Boston, which spread to other cells. The reason for the short hasn’t been identified, NTSB Chairman Debbie Hersman said on Jan. 24.

All eight of the battery cells on the ANA Dreamliner sustained thermal damage, Japan Transport Safety Board chief Norihiro Goto said yesterday. Damage to the electrodes may have been caused by overheating from thermal runaway within the cell. He said further investigation is needed.

Fox news reported on February 20th, 2013, Boeing (BA) says progress is being made to fix its battery problems and return the grounded fleet of 787 Dreamliner jets back to service.

Hundreds of engineering and technical experts are working around the clock 24/7.

The FAA approved Boeing’s battery in 2007 under “special conditions” prohibiting hazardous gas from accumulating in the plane if a battery overheated or caught fire. It also said a fire couldn’t be allowed to damage critical equipment or the aircraft’s structure.

With the words of stress, 100 minus 3 years of Boeing history (founded by William Boeing) which Boeing has history of 2.2 milion cell-hours in operations (includes Boeing and airline ground and flight hours, eight cells per battery) for Prior to January 2013. Boeing also 50,000 hours flying and there was No battery incident events on an airplane and Standard battery issues, comparable with other airplanes.

Boeing 787 manufacturing and supply teams spent years applying a rigorous and disciplined approach to ensure the Dreamliner set new standards in performance, efficiency and safety. The Boeing team conducted the most comprehensive testing and certification efforts in history on this program around the clock 24/7 and the Boeing says, safety is the first priority for the customers to fly.

February 9th, 2013

ZA005, Boeing's fifth 787 airplane, conducts flight testing

ZA005, Boeing's fifth 787 flight test airplane, departed from Boeing Field at 12:32 p.m. Pacific time on Saturday, Jan. 9, with a crew of 13 onboard (Boeing pilots and flight test personnel). The flight lasted 2 hours and 19 minutes, landing back at Boeing Field at 2:51 p.m. Pacific time. The crew reports that the flight was uneventful.

During the flight, the crew monitored the performance of the main and APU batteries. Special equipment onboard ZA005, which is currently the only member of the Boeing 787 flight test fleet in service, allowed the crew to observe and record detailed battery performance in normal flight conditions.

Data gathered during the flight is considered part of the investigations into the 787 battery events that occurred in January. For that reason, we cannot share any additional details.

We have no flights planned for ZA005 Sunday, but plan to resume flights early this coming week. As a matter of long-standing practice, we do not provide flight schedules in advance of flight plans being filed.

Takeoff photos from today's flight have been posted here: http://www.flickr.com/photos/theboeingcompany/sets/72157632730482850/.

Sources:Boeing, WIRDED and FAA youtube, wikipedia and Airworthiness Directive

catch4all.com, Sandra Englund February 14th, 2013.

According to Boeing Dated, February 7th, 2013,
Boeing to Resume Limited 787 Flight Test Activities on ZA005

Boeing will soon resume limited 787 flight test activities with a flight of ZA005, the fifth flight test airplane. This activity has been approved by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration. This flight test activity will allow Boeing to conduct testing of the in-flight performance of the airplane's batteries, which will provide data to support the continuing investigations into the cause of the recent 787 battery incidents.

Flight test activities are different from commercial flight operations and, because of the test environment, special considerations are always in place when the FAA permits such operations. With that said, while our work to determine the cause of the recent battery incidents continues in coordination with appropriate regulatory authorities and investigation agencies, we are confident that the 787 is safe to operate for this flight test activity. To provide additional precautions, we have implemented additional operating practices for test flights, including a one-time pre-flight inspection of the batteries, monitoring of specific battery-related status messages, and a recurring battery inspection.

The company has an extensive team of hundreds of experts working around the clock, focused on resolving the 787 battery issue and returning the 787 fleet to full flight status. We are working this issue tirelessly in cooperation with our customers and the appropriate regulatory and investigative authorities.

At the same time, a dedicated team of professionals is continuing to produce 787s and prepare them for delivery.

As we have said before, the entire Boeing team deeply regrets the impact that recent events have had on our customers and their passengers. We are doing all we can to reach a resolution and begin again to meet their expectations.g

Source: Boeing

Sources:Boeing, Puget Sound Business Journal,\and FAA and NTSB

catch4all.com, Sandra Englund February 7th, 2013.

Sources:Boeing, yahoo, wikipedia , Puget Sound Business Journal,\and FAA

catch4all.com, Sandra Englund February 6th, 2013.

Sources:Boeing, yahoo, wikipedia Reuthers, Puget Sound Business Journal, and NTSB

R\catch4all.com, Sandra Englund February 4th, 2013.

With an almost centennial near in 2016 and with the dynamic team about, 170,000 Boeing employees from around the world, its suppliers, and when needed, external experts in specialized fields., the Boeing continues to developing the world’s safest, most advanced commercial aviation products. And when the company needs to focus, it does so with passion, diligence and precision.

The Dreamliner 787 is no difference, 787 manufacturing and supply teams spent years applying a rigorous and disciplined approach to ensure the Dreamliner set new standards in performance, efficiency and safety. The Boeing team conducted the most comprehensive testing and certification efforts in history on this program.

In January 2013, Boeing responds promptly, the Dreamliner experienced two incidents (one in the U.S. and the other in Japan) involving the main and auxiliary power unit (APU) battery that has led to customer, regulatory and investigative action. Boeing is marshaling its vast resources to understand the cause of these events.

787 engineering team began a detailed analysis of messages sent from the airplane to the company’s 24-hour monitoring center in Everett, Wash. As details emerged, experts from around the company convened to review relevant systems. In the earliest hours, program teams mobilized to provide support on a number of fronts. Crews were immediately dispatched to the site of the events in the U.S. and Japan to support the investigations as requested by authorities. As the teams better understand the situation and the investigation narrows, additional teams of experts will be asked to assist.

Boeing has formed teams consisting of hundreds of engineering and technical experts who are working around the clock to understand the recent 787 incidents and define the actions necessary to get the airplane back to flight status.

With making every possible as much finding for better improvement since January 7, 2013, Dreamliner experienced two incidents (one in the U.S. and the other in Japan) involving the main and auxiliary power unit (APU) battery that has led to customer, regulatory and investigative action. Boeing is marshaling its vast resources to understand the cause of these events, soon will be overcome which will be ready for the best and the most safest airplane for the customers like the Iron Age, blacksmith metallurgists have known that metals such as steel become stronger and harder the more you hit (or beat) on them which applies the theory of dislocation was invented in the 1930s. Research since then has focused on dislocation interactions and their role in hardening metals, in which continued deformation increases the metal’s strength (much like a blacksmith pounding on steel with an anvil).

The Boeing Commercial 787, a long-range, mid-size wide-body, twin-engine jet airliner which it variants seat 210 to 290 passengers. it is known to be the most fuel-efficient airliner and the world's first major airliner to use composite materials as the primary material in the construction of its airframe which is 20% more fuel efficient than the 767 it is to replace and features include mostly electrical flight systems, a four-panel windshield, noise-reducing chevrons on its engine nacelles, and a smoother nose contour.

It shares a common type rating with the larger 777 twinjet, allowing qualified pilots to operate both models, due to related design features has been designed to be 20% more fuel efficient than the 767 it is to replace. It shares a common type rating with the larger 777 twinjet, allowing qualified pilots to operate both models, due to related design features. Meanwhile, AOPA and ALEA action has been taken for the NTSB safety recommendations with the following:

NTSB: NTSB Press Release: National Transportation Safety Board Office of Public Affairs, dated February 1st, 2013,

The seventh updated investigation report was released by The National Transportation Safety Board on February, 1st, 2013 which was on its investigation into the Jan. 7 fire aboard a Japan Airlines Boeing 787 at Logan International Airport in Boston.

The auxiliary power unit battery, manufactured by GS Yuasa, was the original battery delivered with the airplane on December 20, 2012. It is comprised of eight individual cells. All eight cells came from the same manufacturing lot in July 2012. The battery was assembled in September 2012 and installed on the aircraft on October 15, 2012. It was first charged on October 19, 2012. Examination and testing of an exemplar battery got underway earlier this week at the Carderock Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center laboratories in West Bethesda, MD. The tests consisted of electrical measurements, mass measurements, and infrared thermal imaging of each cell, with no anomalies noted. The cells are currently undergoing CT scanning to examine their internal condition. In addition, on Thursday, a battery expert from the Department of Energy joined the investigative team to lend his expertise to the ongoing testing and validation work.

NTSB investigators were made aware of reports of prior battery replacements on aircraft in the 787 fleet, early in the investigation. As reported Tuesday, Boeing, a party to the investigation, is providing pertinent fleet information which investigators will review to determine if there is any relevance to the JAL investigation.

An investigative group continued to interpret data from the two digital flight data recorders on the aircraft, and is examining recorded signals to determine if they might yield additional information about the performance of the battery and the operation of the charging system.

Next week, the NTSB battery testing team will initiate a non-invasive "soft short" test of all cells of the exemplar battery. This test will reveal the presence of any high resistance, small or "soft" shorts within a cell. Also, an NTSB investigator will travel to France with the battery contactor from the JAL event battery, for examination at the manufacturer. The battery contactor connects a wiring bundle from the airplane to the battery.

Investigators are continuing their work in Washington and Japan and the team in Seattle continues to observe the FAA-led review of the certification process for the 787 battery system. The flow of information from these observations helps to inform NTSB investigative activity in the US and around the world.

Additional information on the NTSB's investigation of the Japan Airlines B-787 battery fire in Boston is available at http://go.usa.gov/4K4J.

The NTSB will provide another factual update as developments warrant. To be alerted to any updates or developments, follow the NTSB on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ntsb.

NTSB Media Contact:
Office of Public Affairs
490 L'Enfant Plaza, SW
Washington, DC 20594
(202) 314-6100
Kelly Nantel
Peter Knudson
kelly.nantel@ntsb.gov
peter.knudson@ntsb.gov

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Since NTSB investigators was looking into Boeing 787 smoke event in Boston on January 7th, 2013 which NTSB Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board. The NTSB has dispatched an investigator to Boston. Based on a review of the factual information gathered, the NTSB has determining the extent of its investigation. Meanwhile, Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman was giving briefings about the JAL Boeing 787 battery fire investigation on preliminary findings regarding the JAL Boeing 787 battery fire investigation and detailed information was given on January 24, 2013, and the serious investigation has been continued between the NTSB and the Boeing which Investigators are continuing their work in Washington and Japan and the team in Seattle continues to observe the FAA-led review of the certification process for the 787 battery system.

The flow of information from these observations helps to inform NTSB investigative activity in the US and around the world which is the safety of passengers and crew members who fly aboard Boeing airplanes is the highest priority, no matter what how long it will takes.....meanwhile the quality and the systemetical protocol will help in time service for a long term service and it will make safe fly anywhere, anyplace, anytime, no matter what howlong will take to fly........

NTSB: January 29th, 2013

According to the NTSB Press Release dated January 29th, 2013:

The National Transportation Safety Board today released the sixth update on its investigation into the Jan. 7 fire aboard a Japan Airlines Boeing 787 at Logan International Airport in Boston.

The examination of the damaged battery continues. The work has transitioned from macroscopic to microscopic examinations and into chemical and elemental analysis of the areas of internal short circuiting and thermal damage.

The following is from NTSB investigator Joseph Panagiotou examines a battery cell from the JAL B-787 with a stereo microscope:

Examination and testing of the exemplar battery from the JAL airplane has begun at the Carderock Division of the Naval Surface Warfare Center laboratories. Detailed examinations will be looking for signs of in-service damage and manufacturing defects. The test program will include mechanical and electrical tests to determine the performance of the battery, and to uncover signs of any degradation in expected performance.

As a party contributing to the investigation, Boeing is providing pertinent fleet information, which will help investigators understand the operating history of lithium-ion batteries on those airplanes.

An investigative group continued to interpret data from the two digital flight data recorders on the aircraft, and is examining recorded signals to determine if they might yield additional information about the performance of the battery and the operation of the charging system.

In addition to the activities in Washington, investigators are continuing their work in Seattle and Japan.

Additional information on the NTSB's investigation of the Japan Airlines B-787 battery fire in Boston is available at http://go.usa.gov/4K4J.

The NTSB will provide another factual update on Friday, Feb. 1, or earlier if developments warrant. To be alerted to any updates or developments, follow the NTSB on Twitter at www.twitter.com/ntsb.

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Boeing 787 Dreamliner JAL Battery Fire JA829J which the First flight was on July 12th, 2012 and Construction Number (MSN) is 34839 which is line number 84 and air frame was active. JA829J delivered to Japan Airline on December 21st, 2012.

Boeing continues to assist the NTSB and the other government agencies in the U.S. and Japan responsible for investigating two recent 787 incidents. The company has formed teams consisting of hundreds of engineering and technical experts who are working around the clock with the sole focus of resolving the issue and returning the 787 fleet to flight status. We are working this issue tirelessly in cooperation with our customers and the appropriate regulatory and investigative authorities. The safety of passengers and crew members who fly aboard Boeing airplanes is our highest priority.

Boeing 787 Dreamliner Updates on Battery Issue

January 24th, 2013

SEATTLE, Jan. 24, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- Boeing (NYSE: BA) welcomes the progress being made in the 787 investigation discussed today by the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) in Washington, D.C. The regulatory and investigative agencies in the U.S. and Japan have dedicated substantial resources to these investigations, and we appreciate their effort and leadership.

Boeing continues to assist the NTSB and the other government agencies in the U.S. and Japan responsible for investigating two recent 787 incidents. The company has formed teams consisting of hundreds of engineering and technical experts who are working around the clock with the sole focus of resolving the issue and returning the 787 fleet to flight status. We are working this issue tirelessly in cooperation with our customers and the appropriate regulatory and investigative authorities. The safety of passengers and crew members who fly aboard Boeing airplanes is our highest priority.

In order to ensure the integrity of the process and in adherence to international protocols that govern safety investigations, we are not permitted to comment directly on the ongoing investigations. Boeing is eager to see both investigative groups continue their work and determine the cause of these events, and we support their thorough resolution.

Boeing deeply regrets the impact that recent events have had on the operating schedules of our customers and their passengers.

Contact:
Marc Birtel
Boeing Commercial Airplanes
+1 425-266-5822
marc.r.birtel@boeing.com

SOURCE Boeing

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According to Press release from NTSB In a press conference January 24th, 2013, National Transportation Safety Board Chairman Deborah A.P. Hersman released preliminary findings from the NTSB's ongoing investigation into the Jan. 7, 2013, Boeing 787 battery fire in Boston. "We have not ruled anything out as a potential factor in the battery fire; there are still many questions to be answered," Hersman said.

Noting that there was a B-787 battery incident in Japan on Jan. 16, 2013, which is being investigated by the Japan Transport Safety Board, Hersman said, "One of these events alone is serious; two of them in close proximity, especially in an airplane model with only about 100,000 flight hours, underscores the importance of getting to the root cause of these incidents."

The investigation revealed that the battery in the B-787 fire in Boston showed signs of short circuiting, and had indications of thermal runaway, a situation in which a significant temperature increase can initiate a destructive chain reaction.

Chairman Hersman also expressed concerns about the adequacy of the systems to prevent such a fire from occurring. "The investigation will include an evaluation of how a fault that resulted in a battery fire could have defeated the safeguards in place to guard against that," said Hersman. "As we learn more in this investigation, we will make recommendations for needed improvements to prevent a recurrence."

NTSB timeline of the events on Jan. 7, which was released on January 24th, 2013 during their press release:

The batteries were manufactured by GS Yuasa for the Thales electrical installation and are unique to the Boeing 787. The same battery model is used for the main airplane battery and for the battery that is used to start the auxiliary power unit, which is the one that caught fire in Boston. Thales Group is a French multinational company that designs and builds electrical systems.Thales Group is a French multinational company that designs and builds electrical systems.

You can see the before and after the accident for the Batteries:

Radiographic examinations of the incident battery and an exemplar battery were conducted at an independent test facility. The digital radiographs, or computed tomography (CT) scans, generated from these examinations allowed NTSB investigators to document the internal condition of the battery prior to disassembling it.

Ongoing lab work includes an examination of the battery elements with a scanning-electron microscope and energy-dispersive spectroscopy to analyze the elemental constituents of the electrodes to identify contaminants or defects.

NTSB INVESTIGATIVE TEAMS

In addition to the activities at the NTSB lab in Washington, members of the investigative team have been conducting work in Arizona, Seattle and Japan. Their activities are detailed below.

ARIZONA
- The acceptance test procedure of the APU battery charging unit was conducted at Securaplane in Tucson, Ariz., on Jan. 21.
- The battery charging unit passed all significant tests and no anomalies were detected.
- Members of the airworthiness group examined the APU start power unit at Securaplane in Tucson. The same team traveled to Phoenix to conduct an examination of the APU controller at UTC Aerospace Systems.

SEATTLE
- NTSB investigators are working with Boeing teams as part of root cause analysis activities related to the design and manufacturing of the electrical battery system.
- The two JAL B-787 general purpose module units, which record airplane maintenance data are being downloaded at Boeing to obtain information that was recorded after the airplane's electrical power was interrupted.

JAPAN
- The NTSB-led team conducted component examination of the JAL B-787 APU battery monitoring unit at Kanto Aircraft Instrument Company, Ltd., in Fujisawa, Kanagawa, Japan.
- The team cleaned and examined both battery monitoring unit circuit boards, which were housed in the APU battery case. The circuit boards were damaged, which limited the information that could be obtained from tests.

You will be able to see more detail via video by NTSB:

The Boeing highest priority is for The safety of passengers and crew members who fly aboard Boeing airplanes.

In order to ensure the integrity of the process and in adherence to international protocols that govern safety investigations, The Boeing permitted to comment directly on the ongoing investigations. Boeing is eager to see both investigative groups continue their work and determine the cause of these events, and Boeing is committed and to support their thorough resolution.

Boeing deeply regrets the impact that recent events have had on the operating schedules of customers and their passengers meanwhile Boeing is continues to making the most safety is their first priority for the customers.

According to the Reutters dated January 23rd, 2013, by Reporter Tim Hepher, reported that The Boeing is Confident that the Boeing 787 Dreamliner is safe and but, there is no comment on probe length.

Mike Sinnett, chief project engineer for the Boeing 787 program, said the company remained confident in the safety of the plane, which was grounded worldwide by regulators last week over potential fire risk following two incidents involving its lithium-ion batteries.

"I can't really say anything about the timeframe of the investigation. The NTSB (National Transportation Safety Board) is really the only authorized authority in the U.S. to talk about this investigation and they made some recent statements, but I can't speculate on timeframe," Sinnett said.

"Our commitment to our customers remains that we'll resolve the issue as quickly as can and reduce as much as possible amount of disruption," he added.

This is the first time that the FAA has grounded a passenger airliner since 1979.The FAA also announced plans to conduct an extensive review of the 787's critical systems. The focus of the review will be on the safety of the lithium-ion batteriesmade of lithium cobalt oxide (LiCo). The 787 battery contract was signed in 2005, when LiCo batteries were the only type of lithium aerospace battery available, but since then newer types (such as LiFePO), which provide less reaction energy during thermal runaway, have become available.

The only US-based airline that operates the Dreamliner is United Airlines, which has six. Chile's DGAC grounded LAN Airlines' three 787s. The Indian DGCA directed Air India to ground its six Dreamliners. The Japanese Transport Ministry made the ANA and JAL groundings official and indefinite following the FAA announcement. The European Aviation Safety Agency has also followed the FAA's advice and grounded the only two European 787s operated by LOT Polish Airlines. Qatar Airways has announced that they are grounding their five Dreamliners. Ethiopian Air was the final operator to announce temporary groundings of its four Dreamliners.

Thus all 50 of the aircraft delivered to date have been grounded. On January 18, 2013, Boeing announced that it was halting 787 deliveries until the battery problem is resolved.

On January 7: NTSB investigators was looking into Boeing 787 smoke event in Boston

NTSB addressed that Investigators with the National Transportation Safety Board are gathering information regarding reports of smoke aboard a Boeing 787 at Boston's Logan Airport today. The Japan Airlines 787 was on the ground and empty of passengers at the time of the incident. The NTSB has dispatched an investigator to Boston. Based on a review of the factual information gathered, the NTSB will determine the extent of its investigation. .

On January 8: NTSB provided investigative update on Boeing 787 fire incident in Boston.

Initial investigative findings include:

• The NTSB investigator on scene found that the auxiliary power unit battery had severe fire damage. Thermal damage to the surrounding structure and components is confined to the area immediately near the APU battery rack (within about 20 inches) in the aft electronics bay.
  
• Preliminary reports from Japan Airlines representatives indicate that airplane maintenance and cleaning personnel were on the airplane with the APU in operation just prior to the detection of smoke in the cabin and that Boston Logan Airport Rescue and Fire Fighting were contacted.
  
• Rescue and fire personnel and equipment responded to the airplane and detected a fire in the electronics and equipment bay near the APU battery box. Initial reports indicate that the fire was extinguished about 40 minutes after arrival of the first rescue and fire personnel. One firefighter received minor injuries.

On January 14: NTSB Provides Second Investigative Update on Boeing 787 Battery Fire in Boston

The lithium-ion battery that powered the auxiliary power unit on the airplane was removed and transported back to the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington on Jan. 10. The battery is currently being examined by NTSB investigators.

The airplane's two combined flight data recorder and cockpit voice recorder units were transported to NTSB headquarters and have been successfully downloaded. The information is currently being analyzed by the investigative team.

The NTSB-led investigative team is comprised of subject matter groups in the areas of airplane systems, fire, airport emergency response, and data recorders and includes experts from the Federal Aviation Administration, The Boeing Company, US Naval Surface Warfare Center's Carderock Division, Japan Airlines (aircraft operator), GS Yuasa (battery manufacturer), and Thales Avionics Electrical Systems (APU battery/charger system).

On January 16: NTSB Sending Investigator to Assist with Boeing 787 Battery Incident in Japan

The National Transportation Safety Board is sending an investigator to Japan to assist in the investigation of an emergency landing of an ANA Boeing 787 that occurred yesterday. Initial reports indicate that the flight crew received multiple messages in the cockpit concerning the battery and other systems that were affected, and also reported an odor in the cockpit and the cabin. The airplane subsequently landed, and passengers and crew evacuated via emergency slides.

The investigation is being led by the Japan Transport Safety Board (JTSB). The NTSB has designated investigator Lorenda Ward as the U. S. accredited representative to the JTSB's investigation and she will be accompanied by representatives from the FAA and Boeing. The U.S. team is expected to arrive in Japan early Friday morning. Further information regarding the investigation release infromation is available by the JTSB.

On January 20: NTSB Provides Third Investigative Update on Boeing 787 Battery Fire in Boston

WASHINGTON - The National Transportation Safety Board today released a third update on its investigation into the Jan. 7 fire aboard a Japan Airlines Boeing 787 at Logan International Airport in Boston.

The lithium-ion battery that powered the auxiliary power unit has been examined in the NTSB Materials Laboratory in Washington. The battery was x-rayed and CT scans were generated of the assembled battery. The investigative team has disassembled the APU battery into its eight individual cells for detailed examination and documentation. Three of the cells were selected for more detailed radiographic examination to view the interior of the cells prior to their disassembly. These cells are in the process now of being disassembled and the cell's internal components are being examined and documented.

Investigators have also examined several other components removed from the airplane, including wire bundles and battery management circuit boards. The team has developed test plans for the various components removed from the aircraft, including the battery management unit (for the APU battery), the APU controller, the battery charger and the start power unit. On Tuesday, the group will convene in Arizona to test and examine the battery charger and download nonvolatile memory from the APU controller. Several other components have been sent for download or examination to Boeing's facility in Seattle and manufacturer's facilities in Japan.

Finally, examination of the flight recorder data from the JAL B-787 airplane indicate that the APU battery did not exceed its designed voltage of 32 volts.

In accordance with international investigative treaties, the Japan Transport Safety Board and French Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la sécurité de l'aviation civile have appointed accredited representatives to this investigation. Similarly, the NTSB has assigned an accredited representative to assist with the JTSB's investigation of the Jan. 15 battery incident involving an All Nippon Airways B-787. Both investigations remain on going.

Mike Sinnett, chief project engineer for the Boeing 787 program, said the company remained confident in the safety of the plane, which was grounded worldwide by regulators last week over potential fire risk following two incidents involving its lithium-ion batteries.

"Our commitment to our customers remains that we'll resolve the issue as quickly as can and reduce as much as possible amount of disruption," said Sinnett.

Boeing is confident the 787 is safe and stand behind its overall integrity. Boeing will be taking every necessary step in the coming days to assure the customers and the traveling public of the 787's safety and to return the airplanes to service.

FAA Federal Aviation Administration, made press release FAA Statement due to the Boeing 787 battery incident earlier in Japan, the FAA is taking action issued an emergency airworthiness directive (AD) to address a potential battery fire risk in the 787 and require operators to temporarily cease operations. Before further flight, operators of U.S.-registered, Boeing 787 aircraft must demonstrate to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) that the batteries are safe.

FAA stated that The in-flight Japanese battery incident followed an earlier 787 battery incident that occurred on the ground in Boston on January 7, 2013. The AD is prompted by this second incident involving a lithium ion battery. The battery failures resulted in release of flammable electrolytes, heat damage, and smoke on two Model 787 airplanes. The root cause of these failures is currently under investigation. These conditions, if not corrected, could result in damage to critical systems and structures, and the potential for fire in the electrical compartment.

Last Friday, the FAA announced a comprehensive review of the 787’s critical systems with the possibility of further action pending new data and information. In addition to the continuing review of the aircraft’s design, manufacture and assembly, the agency also will validate that 787 batteries and the battery system on the aircraft are in compliance with the special condition the agency issued as part of the aircraft’s certification.

United Airlines is currently the only U.S. airline operating the 787, with six airplanes in service. When the FAA issues an airworthiness directive, it also alerts the international aviation community to the action so other civil aviation authorities can take parallel action to cover the fleets operating in their own countries.

On the 787, Honeywell and Rockwell Collins provide flight control, guidance, and other avionics systems, including standard dual head up guidance systems, Thales supplies the integrated standby flight display, the APU starting system and electrical power conversion system with lithium cobalt oxide (LiCo) batteries by GS Yuasa. These batteries are the focus of regulatory investigation due to malfunctions in January 2013. GS Yuasa Corporation headquarters in Kyoto.

In the Dreamliner's first year of service, at least four aircraft suffered from electrical systems problems. Boeing CEO James McNerney told media outlets in December 2012 that the problems were no greater than those experienced by the company with the introduction of other new models, such as the Boeing 777. Boeing and FAA's investigation report was consistant with the following investigation and report:

On November 25, 2012, it was reported that Air India had requested a team of Boeing engineers come to India to address issues described as "teething problems" with its aircraft.

Early on the aircraft suffered from a cracked cockpit window and brake problems.

On January 7, 2013, a battery overheated and started a fire in an empty 787 operated by Japan Airlines (JAL) at Boston's Logan International Airport. A second 787 also operated by JAL experienced a fuel leak on January 8, and its flight from Boston was canceled.

On January 9, United Airlines reported a problem in one of its six 787s with the wiring in the same area as the battery fire on JAL's airliner; the U.S. National Transportation Safety Board subsequently opened a safety probe.

On January 11, 2013, a cockpit window cracked and another engine was found to have a fuel leak.

On January 11, 2013, the FAA announced a comprehensive review of the 787's critical systems, including the design, manufacture and assembly. US transportation secretary Ray LaHood stated the administration was "looking for the root causes" behind the recent issues. The head of the FAA, Michael Huerta said that so far nothing found "suggests it [787] is not safe".

On January 13, 2013, a Japan Airlines 787 at Narita International Airport outside of Tokyo, was found to have a fuel leak of 100 liters (26.5 U.S. gallons) during an inspection. The aircraft reportedly was the same one that had a fuel leak in Boston on January 8.

This leak however was caused by a different valve; the causes of the leaks are unknown. Japan's transport ministry have also launched an investigation.

On January 16, 2013, an All Nippon Airways 787 made an emergency landing at Takamatsu Airport on Shikoku Island after the flight crew received a computer warning that there was smoke inside one of the electrical compartments.

Yuasa formed a joint-venture company with General Battery Corporation in 1976. Yuasa manufactured its first battery in 1979 in the United States, producing standard conventional and Yumicron 12 volt batteries.

Yuasa developed a maintenance free and gas recombination battery for powersports vehicles in the early 1980s, and the first AGM battery, intended for ATV applications.

Yuasa was sold by General Battery Corporation to Exide Corporation in 1987 to form Yuasa/Exide Battery Corporation. Yuasa/Exide then purchased Exide's Industrial Division to become Yuasa Inc. in 1991.

After selling off its industrial division to Enersys in 2000, Yuasa Inc. changed its name to Yuasa Battery Inc. In 2004, Yuasa Japan merged with Japan Storage Battery to form GS Yuasa Corporation.

Now the top power sports battery producer, Yuasa provides nearly 90% of the batteries used in power sport vehicles in North America. According to the media report The company, Yuasa was linked to faulty batteries used in Boeing's Dreamliner plane.

Lithium cobalt oxide (LiCoO2) is a chemical compound commonly used in the positive electrodes of lithium-ion batteries. The structure of LiCoO2 is known theoretically and has been confirmed with techniques like x-ray diffraction, electron microscopy, neutron powder diffraction, and EXAFS: it consists of layers of lithium that lie between slabs of octahedra formed by cobalt and oxygen atoms.

Lithium (from Greek lithos 'stone') is a soft, silver-white metal with symbol Li and atomic number 3. It belongs to the alkali metal group of chemical elements. Under standard conditions it is the lightest metal and the least dense solid element. Like all alkali metals, lithium is highly reactive and flammable. The burned insides of a battery in the Boeing 787 at the center of a worldwide grounding of the aircraft indicate it operated at a voltage above its design limit, a Japanese investigator said Friday.

Lithium and its compounds have several industrial applications, including heat-resistant glass and ceramics, high strength-to-weight alloys used in aircraft, lithium batteries and lithium-ion batteries. These uses consume more than half of lithium production.

Thales selected GS Yuasa for Lithium ion battery system in Boeing’s 787 Dreamliner.
GS Yuasa’s Li-ion batteries plays a key role in on-board power, providing both Auxiliary Power Unit start and emergency power back-up capabilities. In the first phase of the contract, GS Yuasa delivered prototypes to Thales starting in spring, 2005 and mass production started for Boeing’s latest plane in 2007.

GS Yuasa’s Li-ion technology offers some key advantages over the existing nickel-cadmium solution used in commercial jetliners. With 100% greater energy storage capacity, lithium-ion offers two times of energy from the same dimension nickel-cadmium battery. The battery can charge from 0 to 90% in only 75 minutes and comes with battery management electronics which guarantees multiple levels of safety features. The rugged prismatic sealed battery design is capable of withstanding extreme operating conditions far greater than those normally seen in commercial aircraft operation and requires absolutely no maintenance.

GS Yuasa is the leading Japanese producer of batteries and energy storage technologies and second largest lead-acid battery manufacturer in the world with annual revenues of $2.1 billion. The group produces Li-Ion, Ni-Mh, lead-acid, silver zinc batteries along with power supplies, rectifiers, UPS units, and a wide array of lighting products with 23,000 employees in 28 factories across 14 countries around the world.

Dr. John Goodenough invented lithium cobalt oxide cathode materials while at Oxford University. His technology was used in the first commercial Li-ion battery, launched by SONY in 1991. More recently, at the University of Texas, Austin, Dr. Goodenough patented a new class of iron phosphate materials with potential to replace the more costly cobalt materials. In 2000, he received the prestigious Japan Prize for his discoveries of the materials critical to the development of lightweight rechargeable batteries.

On September 17, 2009, U.S. Energy Secretary Steven Chu named John B. Goodenough as a winner of the Enrico Fermi Award ' in recognition for his lasting contributions to materials science and technology, especially the science underlying lithium-ion batteries. Dr. Goodenough, a physicist, identified and developed the cathode materials for the lithium-ion rechargeable battery that is ubiquitous in today’s portable electronic devices. This material has proven to be inexpensive, environmentally friendly, safe, sustainable, and capable of thousands of charge cycles with a constant output voltage without a loss of capacity.

Boeing is committed to supporting the FAA and finding answers as quickly as possible. The company is working around the clock with its customers and the various regulatory and investigative authorities. Boeing will make available the entire resources of The Boeing Company to assist. Source Boeing.