RAF Marham Station Commander, Group Captain Jim Beck officially opened a new state-of-the-art Battery Bay at the Station yesterday, the first of its kind in the Royal Air Force.
The arrival of the new F-35B Lightning aircraft meant that the existing facility needed a significant upgrade to support the battery requirements of a 5th generation platform.
The Lightning’s control surfaces and actuators are electrically driven by Lithium-ion batteries rather than the more traditional hydraulic methods. Power demands for this are met by a 270VDC battery that weighs in at over 40Kg. Alongside this, a 28VDC battery provides traditional ancillary power.
Although both batteries contain a host of fail-safe features designed to reduce the risk of thermal runaway and fire, the storage, charging and maintenance requirements for Lithium-ion batteries required a significant upgrade to the station’s existing facility. Maintenance Support Squadron engineers worked closely with Amey, Defence Infratructure Organisation, the Fire Safety Officer Officer and industry partners to develop a future proofed facility that could, if required, support over 40 batteries.
The new Lithium-ion bay features a temperature controlled storage area, separate charging area with sophisticated fire suppression and extraction systems and a secure storage for assets critical to aircraft maintenance. The General Engineering Flight personnel maintain stock on behalf of the Customs warehouse, ensuring that batteries are available for issues 24/7.
The new bay has been in use for a number of months now but hadn’t been officially opened due to the Covid 19 restrictions. Whilst opening the facility officially today Group Captain Beck said “ Its fantastic to open this pioneering facility today which is another addition to the amazing infrastructure that we now have at RAF Marham to support a world class 5th generation aircraft. The work that the personnel do within the Battery Bay is an essential part of the process that keeps us at the forefront of Air Power.”
