Lyten has announced a new national security-focused initiative to support the growing demand for high-endurance, wide-operational-radius drones for defence applications.
The initiative is built on a next-generation drone energy storage system powered by Lyten’s ultra-lightweight lithium-sulphur (Li-S) batteries. Lyten is dedicating production capacity in its California manufacturing facilities to meet the unique needs of the US defence, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) and satellite sectors.
Lyten’s US-sourced and manufactured lithium-sulphur batteries are uniquely positioned to help the Department of Defense meet two urgent modernisation imperatives: reducing dependence on foreign and adversarial supply chains for critical minerals, components and batteries, and enabling the deployment of lighter, longer-range and more capable UAV platforms.
In a demonstration flight video, Lyten showed its lithium-sulphur battery powering a US-built, 3D-printed UAV. The drone utilises a battery pack designed by Upgrade Energy. The successful flight of Titan’s 8.5-foot wingspan drone demonstrated flight time capability of over three hours while executing a wide range of manoeuvres, at speeds of up to 86 miles per hour. Lyten’s next upcoming drone battery release is targeting up to eight hours of flight time.
Lyten’s lithium-sulphur batteries are free from nickel, manganese, cobalt and graphite – minerals dominated by Chinese supply chains – enabling a secure, National Defense Appropriations Act (NDAA)-compliant energy solution for defence platforms. Lithium-sulfur batteries, with their higher energy density, are designed to support longer flights, heavier payloads, and extended operational range.
Lyten is currently taking orders for its latest lithium-sulphur battery for drones and previously announced a contract with the Defense Innovation Unit to demonstrate Lyten’s lithium-sulphur batteries on the International Space Station, set for launch later this year.
Caption: Lyten is taking orders for its lithium-sulphur battery for drones
