Article by Siyu Huang, retrieved from Forbes website.
Drones have transformed from novelties to necessities. From battlefield reconnaissance to wildfire monitoring, unmanned aircraft are reshaping how we approach national security and emergency response. But there’s a critical weakness holding back their potential: the batteries that power them.
The limitations of current lithium-ion battery technology create an impossible tradeoff between flight time and payload capacity. Military commanders shouldn’t have to choose between keeping a drone in the air longer or equipping it with better sensors. Emergency response teams shouldn’t have to recall drones for recharging in the middle of tracking a wildfire’s spread.
What’s Standing In Our Way?
Current lithium-ion batteries have powered the first generation of drones admirably, but they face fundamental limitations that go far beyond mere engineering challenges. This creates an inherent tradeoff between power and energy density, forcing drones to sacrifice either range or payload capacity. The batteries struggle in extreme temperatures, risking failure in arctic conditions and dangerous overheating in high temperatures, precisely the challenging environments where military and emergency response missions must operate. For missions requiring extended flight times or high-power bursts, these limitations aren’t just inconvenient—they’re mission-critical constraints.
This technological bottleneck is compounded by serious supply chain vulnerabilities caused by the U.S.’s reticence to embrace new battery technology. In fact, 70% to 90% of the battery industry is run by Chinese companies, with Japan and South Korea holding minority market shares, and the U.S. coming in fourth for market share. This overwhelming dependence on foreign lithium-ion battery suppliers presents a major vulnerability, not just in terms of supply chain reliability, but as a national security risk, as evidenced by the Department of Defense’s actions regarding Chinese battery manufacturer CATL.
As political tensions between China and the U.S. reverberate through global supply chains and markets, American drone manufacturers are increasingly bearing the consequences. If we continue to overlook the risks posed by our lack of a domestic battery manufacturing presence, we are effectively choosing to jeopardize our military readiness at a time when resilience is more critical than ever.
Embracing Solid-State Battery Technology
Fortunately, American innovation is opening a path forward. Solid-state battery technology represents a genuine breakthrough in energy storage, offering superior performance, enhanced safety and greater resilience in extreme environments. Independent testing and research from Argonne National Laboratory, Cornell and Duke, among others, demonstrate the national interest in unlocking this technology. At Factorial, our work designing solid-state batteries for consumer-focused mobility is just one example of their broad potential—but the consensus across the scientific and engineering communities makes clear how transformative solid-state technology will be for the future of energy.
The advantages extend far beyond raw performance numbers. Solid-state batteries solve the temperature challenge that has long plagued military operations. Their electrolytes remain stable in extremely low temperatures, ensuring reliable performance in Arctic reconnaissance missions while withstanding exposure to 100° C without the thermal runaway risks that plague traditional batteries. This resilience opens up new operational possibilities across climates and conditions. And these are only examples being done for applications within orbit. Since 2024, the University of Wollongong in Australia has been testing solid-state’s ability to withstand sub-zero temperatures for use in space.
Consider the implications: Surveillance drones could monitor critical infrastructure for hours longer. Emergency response aircraft could carry more sophisticated sensors while maintaining extended flight times. Military reconnaissance platforms could operate reliably in the harshest conditions, from arctic temperatures to desert heat.
This technology is ready for deployment. My company recently announced a partnership with a Canadian developer of long-range, dual-use unmanned aerial systems (UAS), which I believe demonstrates solid-state’s ease of integration.
Unlike electric vehicles, which require years of supply chain ramp-up, we’ve found that solid-state batteries can be integrated into drone platforms in as little as 12 months. While research continues to advance, the technology’s potential is already widely recognized across industries. In 2024, Bank of America’s Institute reported that loosening regulations are creating strong tailwinds for the convergence of solid-state batteries and drone applications.
This creates a unique first-mover opportunity for solid-state batteries in drones and UAS—well ahead of adoption in other transportation sectors. The manufacturing capability is already in place: At Factorial, we’ve achieved yield rates exceeding 85% at our production facility.
What Can We Do To Realize This Future?
Bringing this technology to scale requires a coordinated effort between industry and government. The Department of Defense has recognized the strategic importance of advanced battery technology, but recognition alone isn’t enough.
We need action on three fronts:
1. Increased government funding for domestic battery manufacturing. The semiconductor industry has shown how targeted investment can rebuild critical capabilities.
2. Procurement policies that prioritize advanced battery technologies. Clear market signals will accelerate private sector investment.
3. Deeper collaboration between military planners, drone manufacturers and battery developers to ensure new technologies meet operational needs.
The stakes extend beyond military applications. The same technology that can enable longer-range military drones could transform emergency response, infrastructure inspection and urban air mobility. But these benefits will only materialize if we commit to developing and manufacturing advanced batteries here in America.
Non-government agencies and organizations also have a critical role to play here. By investing in pilot projects, partnering with battery innovators and supporting scale-up, they can help prove and deploy solid-state technology faster. Prioritizing rigorous safety testing, sustainable sourcing and public education will set industry benchmarks and build the market confidence needed for adoption. Those who lead will shape the future of drone technology—and secure a competitive edge as solid-state batteries become the new standard.
Other nations are investing heavily in next-generation battery technology and manufacturing. The question isn’t whether solid-state batteries will transform drone capabilities—it’s whether America will lead or follow.
The path forward is clear: We must invest in solid-state battery development and manufacturing today to secure America’s drone capabilities for tomorrow. The technology exists. The expertise exists. What’s missing is the national commitment to bring them together at scale.
