Li-S Energy lithium sulphur battery powers UAV flight

Li-S Energy has successfully completed its first uncrewed aerial vehicle (UAV) test flights, powered by the company’s twelve cell lithium sulfur battery pack.

The flight tests aimed to demonstrate that the company’s LiS cells can be configured into a battery pack, integrated into a fixed wing UAV, and successfully flown for take-off, ascent, level flight, aerial manoeuvres and safe landing.

CEO Dr Lee Finniear said: “Last month, we announced that we had achieved cell energy density of more than 450Wh/kg on our new lithium sulfur cells.

“This month we are demonstrating our cells in a full battery pack, successfully powering an uncrewed aircraft in flight profiles typically required by our target markets.

“This…accelerates us toward the integrated battery pack needed for our ‘dawn-‘til-dusk’ drone programme, and clearly demonstrates to our target markets that Li-S Energy is a credible power delivery solution for
drone, eAviation, and security applications.”

The Li-S Energy team built the 6S2P battery pack using twelve 10Ah Li-S cells manufactured on the company’s Geelong, Victoria Phase 3 production line.

They had a nominal pack voltage of 11.4V, a capacity of 20Ah, and a weight of 550 grams at a pack level.

The pack was then integrated into the airframe of a 2.4 metre wingspan, fixed wing, single motor uncrewed aircraft, and successful ground tests were completed.

Test flights were carried out using both catapult launch and hand launch methods, with each flight completed successfully.

Li-S Energy CTO Dr Steve Rowlands said: “The cell parameters from our production line are very consistent which, when combined with our semi-solid-state chemistry, means that balancing the cells in the pack has been far less complex than with traditional lithium sulfur chemistries.”

While the flights were not an endurance test, the total flight time was 30 minutes, completed with a single battery pack with no intermediate recharge.

The battery pack was only partially discharged at the end of the tests, and could be recharged successfully.

Further reading:
Li-S Energy achieves increased energy density in pouch cell tests

Picture: Li-S Energy/uncrewed aircraft powered by Li-S Energy battery flying over southern Victoria