Bruce Parkinson, applications engineering and inside sales manager at Ultralife Corporation, examines the power solutions available to military drone manufacturers.

Treated as expendable assets, like ammunition, single-use drones are being increasingly used by the U.S. military. Each drone, however, must balance:

  • Power output – Speed energy can be delivered
  • Capacity – How much energy the battery holds
  • Weight – A higher capacity facilitates longer missions but adds weight, which can compromise flight performance or payload allowance. Batteries that deliver high current, however, may be bulkier or have lower energy density.

Battery cells

Ultralife recently tested its U10026 D-size non-rechargeable cell to prove its suitability for single-use drones. The tests proved that the cell could deliver up to 20 amps continuously with proper thermal management, a major improvement from previous expectations of three amps. Even at 10 to 15 amps continuous, these cells performed well under air-cooled conditions. This unlocks new possibilities for applications that demand uncompromising energy performance.

Non-rechargeables like the U10026 can carry significantly more capacity than similarly sized rechargeables, enabling them to support heavier loads or extend range, even in compact airframes.

Power solutions

In multi-mission, non-expendable drones, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries have mostly replaced lead-acid, resulting in high cycle life and a moderate continuous output. This ensures reliable power in drones that carry out activities such as surveillance, mapping and routine site inspections.

The Pentagon, however, wants to make it easier for manufacturers to produce single-use drones on a larger scale. This means it is important to think about the power solutions behind this technology and how to balance weight, power output and capacity.

Selecting the right battery manufacturer can make a huge difference. Ultralife Corporation has 30 years of experience in manufacturing non-rechargeable cells, with over 100 million sold, and its batteries are designed to perform to the highest standards of performance and reliability in applications such as single-use drones.

Over the last 20 years, it has manufactured batteries for the global government and defence sector, stemming from the introduction of the popular XX90 batteries to the company’s participation in the Land Warrior soldier modernisation program.

Learn more www.ultralifecorporation.com

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