I've paraphrased some of the comments found on the NoBS and A123 websites. In addition, we have data coming from bench level and flight testing I'm doing for a DoD aircraft project. The chosen technology was A123 packs made of LiNP P04 cells. The packs are used as the sole source of full scale turbine engine starting power and weapons firing. The Government and aviation requirement puts emphasis on sustained power, long life, and a cell that doesn't flame (LiPos couldn't even be considered).

These are the same cells that are used in packs produced by Electrodynamics, NoBS, and a few other sources that use authentic A123 battery cells for RC modellers. Unless they say they are A123s, they are not the same. Sometimes the price can be a clue. A123 cell technology is proprietary and only available to battery makers from A123 Systems.

True A123s are one of the few real bargains we have in RC jet modelling considering the role they play.

The NoBS guys will tell you that A123's plating technology provides an increase in cell life. Since batteries consume negative plate over time, A123 systems increased the negative plate surface area by up to 100 times compared to any competitors plating process. The lifespan of the A123 cell is better.

NoBS: "In comparison to other LiFE batteries A123's use a patented 'Nano' plating technology that improves the negative plate material. This allows a much larger amount of surface area for A123's negative plate and it's why A123 can tolerate larger current loading without voltage sag [brown out]."

"Brown out" is the issue jet pilots should be most concerned with, assuming the batteries are being maintained properly. Due to the high demands of digital servos, servo count, longer extension leads, and airloads, the battery system becomes the radio's choke point. The ability for the battery to handle the peaks as well as sustained loads and continue to provide stable voltage is the goal. We have to up the "C-rate" to keep the radio happy. That is why many guys use good quality LiPos too. Quality LiPo packs have good capacity and higher C-rates when needed to sustain voltage.

The NoBS guys will tell you that A123's plating technology provides an increase in cell life. Since batteries consume negative plate over time, A123 systems increased the negative plate surface area by up to 100 times compared to any competitors' plating process. The lifespan of the A123 cell is better.

Further: "A123's also use aluminum cased cylindrical cells with welded alloy end plates and towers like a Nicad cell. This enables a welded strap pack assembly system (like Nicads) that is stronger and resistant to vibration and impact. Other LiFE packs are built with wafer stacked 'bag' prismatic cells.. like LiPoly. And, like LiPoly, they are fragile, the cell link tabs are very thin alloy strips and the entire assembly is as a result susceptible to rough handling and vibration. Further, the prismatic cells and their tabbing system are unable to handle anywhere near the current loading the A123 system can tolerate with ease."

A123 systems quote:
"Nanophosphate is a positive electrode material of remarkable rate capability, critical to high power systems. Our high power products are able to pulse at discharge rates as high as 100C."

The Nanophosphate Advantage:
High Power:
Higher charge and discharge rates for better performance and efficiency
Higher Usable Energy:
Wide SOC (State of Charge) range enables greater battery utilization
Excellent Safety:
Superior abuse tolerance
Extended Cycle Life:
Long battery life for both deep and shallow cycling.

For the price differential, it may not make sense to use 3.3v Li-ion family cells that aren't true A123s (LiNP).
We can always get away with most any other battery types, but like other components you tend to get what you pay for. I often wonder how many battery "brown out" problems get blamed on radio RF or other airframe issues.