Drone battery with over 500 Wh/kg: Sion Power unveils Licerion cells for military systems

Sion Power recently presented a new drone battery for unmanned military systems: two purpose-developed lithium-metal cells called Licerion with an energy density of over 500 Wh/kg. Compared with conventional lithium-ion batteries, they are said to let combat drones fly two to three times as long, carry over 50 per cent more payload and be 30 per cent lighter.

The Tucson-based manufacturer operates a 10,200-square-metre battery cell production facility in the USA. Lex Alexander, a retired Commander of the US Navy and now CEO of the Battery Innovation Center, stressed:

There is a need within the Department of Defense for domestically produced, advanced batteries to protect national security. This applies in particular given the rapid development of military drone capabilities— Lex Alexander, CEO of the Battery Innovation Center

According to Sion Power, the lithium-metal platform is intended for numerous mission-critical applications, including:

• long-range unmanned aircraft systems (UAS)
• high-performance tactical drones and drones that counter unmanned aircraft systems
• modern platforms for missiles and loitering munitions
• autonomous vehicles at sea and on land
• systems for space and high-altitude aviation

Two versions of the drone battery

As a high-performance primary cell, “Licerion Strike” is designed for loitering munitions, tube-launched intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) systems, fast reconnaissance drones and one-way attack platforms. Thanks to a discharge rate of 6C, aggressive manoeuvres and powerful terminal-phase attacks are possible without thermal derating of performance.

“Licerion Echo”, by contrast, is rechargeable and intended for ISR fixed-wing aircraft, high-altitude long-endurance (HALE) configurations, maritime surveillance and autonomous swarm systems that operate in the field without charging infrastructure. In mission-critical applications, it maximises endurance and operating radius.