In an era where defense strategies are increasingly driven by technological superiority, the demand for advanced energy storage solutions has never been more critical. With global defense spending projected to surpass $2 trillion in 2024, and the US Department of Defense allocating $1.1 billion for the first round of replicator drones alone, modern warfare is dependent on reliable and high-performance power sources. From unmanned aerial systems to portable soldier equipment to space-based defense assets, the role of batteries extends beyond energy supply to being an integral to mission success, operational efficiency, and tactical advantage. As military operations evolve to require longer endurance, faster deployment, and resilience in extreme environments, battery technology must keep pace. While recent breakthroughs in defense battery applications are providing this, Addionics’ 3D Current Collectors can further push the boundaries of performance, safety, and durability across diverse defense platforms.
Drones
Unmanned Aerial Systems, also referred to as drones, are a cornerstone of modern military operations, providing essential capabilities in surveillance, reconnaissance, and tactical support. The need for longer flight times, higher payload capacities, and rapid deployment requires batteries with high energy density, quick charging capabilities, and robust thermal management. Recent advancements in lithium-ion and solid-state battery technologies are pushing the boundaries, offering lighter weight and improved energy efficiency compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries.
In the US, researchers announced a significant breakthrough in lithium-ion battery technology, achieving ultrafast recharge times that could revolutionize military drone operations. By doping the battery’s electrodes with boron and sulfur, they reduced the activation energy required during charging, enabling the batteries to reach over 80% capacity in just nine minutes. This advancement allows drones to quickly recharge and maintain a persistent aerial presence over strategic locations, enhancing capabilities in surveillance, reconnaissance, and tactical support. The rapid recharging also facilitates continuous drone operations in various environments, including extreme climates.
Portable Soldier Power
Modern soldiers carry an array of electronic equipment, from communication devices and night vision goggles to advanced targeting systems and wearable sensors. This equipment demands lightweight, high-energy-density batteries that can sustain long missions without adding excessive weight. Flexible and wearable battery technologies are emerging, providing soldiers with more ergonomic and reliable power sources tailored to their operational needs.
Indeed, Amprius Technologies recently announced the integration of its advanced battery cells into the US Army’s next-generation wearable battery packs. Offering twice the energy density of existing solutions without adding extra weight, these silicon anode batteries significantly extend mission durations for soldiers. As a result, this enhancement allows military personnel to operate their electronic devices, such as communication tools and night vision equipment, for longer periods without the need for frequent battery replacements.
For EaglePicher Technologies, the company developed a portable conformal battery designed to match the contour of a soldier’s gear, improving mobility and agility. This thin, lightweight power source offers a flexible form factor, providing over 154 Wh of energy while weighing less than 1.18 kg. The conformal design ensures that the battery integrates seamlessly with the soldier’s equipment, reducing the physical burden and enhancing operational efficiency.
Addionics 3D Current Collectors can further enhance these advancements, which improve energy density, battery lifespan, and thermal management without adding extra weight. Indeed, by increasing efficiency and ensuring stable performance in demanding conditions, Addionics’ technology can provide applications with even more reliable, long-lasting power sources tailored to the operational needs, supporting longer missions while reducing the logistical burden of frequent battery replacements.
Space-Based Defense Applications
Satellites and other space-based defense assets require batteries capable of enduring harsh space environments, including extreme temperature fluctuations and radiation exposure. The focus is on developing high-energy, long-life batteries with minimal degradation over time. Lithium-ion battery enhancements and exploration into next-generation chemistries like lithium-air are paving the way for more resilient space power solutions.
Lyten, a battery startup founded in 2015, recently announced that its lithium-sulfur battery cells were selected for demonstration aboard the International Space Station in 2025. Indeed, these batteries aim to provide higher energy density and improved safety compared to traditional lithium-ion batteries, addressing the challenges of extreme temperature fluctuations and radiation exposure in space.
Similarly, global battery manufacturer, Saft, has been advancing lithium-ion battery technology for space applications. With batteries that are designed to meet rigorous standards, this ensures long-life performance with minimal degradation over time. Indeed, these high-energy batteries are utilized in various space missions, including geostationary telecommunications and medium Earth orbit satellites, providing reliable power in harsh space environments.
Addionics can further enhance these advancements with its 3D Current Collectors, which improve energy density, thermal stability, and battery lifespan, key factors for space-based defense applications. As such, by optimizing power efficiency and reducing degradation over time, Addionics’ technology ensures more reliable, long-lasting energy storage capable of withstanding the extreme conditions of space. This technology is compatible with all battery chemistries, existing or emerging.
Better Defense Applications with Addionics Batteries
As defense operations become increasingly reliant on advanced energy storage, the need for batteries that deliver superior performance, durability, and safety is paramount. Addionics’ 3D Current Collectors enhance battery durability, optimize thermal management, and increase energy density, enabling longer mission durations, greater payload capacities, and more reliable performance in the most challenging environments.
Addionics’ technology offers a drop-in solution that can be retrofitted into any existing production line, eliminating the need for extensive manufacturing changes. Its compatibility with all battery chemistries, both emerging and existing, ensures adaptability across diverse defense platforms. Backed by the world’s first dedicated 3D Current Collectors manufacturing facility, with a production capacity of 0.5 GWh, this marks a transformative step forward, making high-performance, cost-effective battery solutions accessible at scale. With improved battery lifespan, thermal stability, and operational efficiency, Addionics’ 3D Current Collectors provide the strategic energy advantage needed for today’s defense applications.
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