Adaptive Battery Charging System and Method

An aircraft adaptive battery charging system is provided. The adaptive battery charging system comprises: a battery system; a bidirectional converter, wherein the bidirectional converter is capable of an inverter mode and a rectifier mode; an alternating current (AC) motor; a number of controllable contactors that control electrical current between the battery system, bidirectional converter, AC motor, and a power source wherein the controllable contactors can be switched between a closed position to allow electrical current flow and an open position to prevent electrical current flow; a motor controller; a battery charging system controller configured to send control signals to the battery system, motor controller, and controllable contactors in response to system command signals; and a vehicle system controller that sends system command signals to the motor controller and battery charging system controller.