US materials firm KULR has developed a battery pack for UAVs with cells from Molicel and Amprius, writes Nick Flaherty.

The KULR One Air will use a combination of cells for high energy density and high power. Molicel’s P50B is a popular high-power lithium-ion NMC cell, while Amprius produces a lightweight high-energy cell called SiCore with a silicon anode, which is also popular for airborne applications.

The standard off-the-shelf K1A systems, which support rapid deployment, integrate KULR’s thermal management materials that have been used in space systems.

KULR will also develop customisable configurations to meet specific OEM requirements.

“Our K1A brings space-proven technologies to the UAS market,” said Michael Mo, CEO of KULR Technology Group. “We’ve built our legacy on delivering energy and thermal solutions for applications where failure is not an option. With K1A, we’re applying that same level of performance and reliability to advanced uncrewed aircraft systems, which are slated to become more common in our everyday lives.”

The Amprius silicon anode battery technology delivers 500 Wh/kg energy density to extend flight time and payload capacity in next-generation UAVs. The P50B Molicel cells provide power for liftoff, landing and operation in extreme conditions.