Silhouettes of soldiers are using drone for scouting during military operation against the backdrop of a sunset. Application of modern technology during war
As the US military looks to expand its drone capabilities, another important consideration is the batteries that will power these devices. Bruce Parkinson, Applications Engineering and Inside Sales Manager at Ultralife Corporation, explores how modern-day drone manufacturers now have more choice when selecting a power solution.
Single-use drones are typically treated as expendable and may not return from their first mission; therefore, they do not require a rechargeable battery. In the 1940s, when early versions of single-use drones were first developed, non-rechargeable battery technology was still in its infancy and alkaline chemistry had just been invented.
Alkaline batteries have a lower energy density compared to modern lithium alternatives, and, in single-use drones, the energy required for power-intensive systems like guidance, navigation and communications must be compact and efficient, so low energy density was a significant disadvantage. Alkaline batteries also did not perform as well in extreme temperatures, which was problematic for drones that operated in hot or cold climates or at high altitudes.
Today’s lithium-based non-rechargeable batteries not only address these issues, they can even power the propulsion systems of single-use drones, but this is still very rare. As in the 1940s, non-rechargeable batteries are mainly used to power radio control systems and flight stabilizers, but modern drones also feature additional sensors that require more power.
A balancing act
Every single-use drone must strike the right balance between power output, capacity and weight. Capacity refers to how much energy the battery holds — and therefore, how long the drone can operate — while power output refers to how quickly that energy can be delivered.
A higher capacity facilitates longer missions, but adds weight, which can compromise flight performance or payload allowance. On the other hand, batteries that deliver high current may be bulkier or have lower energy density.
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