Sion Power Doubles Drone Flight Time With Licerion Strike Battery
A Tucson-based startup has successfully tested its Licerion Strike lithium-metal battery, achieving a 140% increase in energy density over standard lithium-ion packs. During flight trials on the Astro Max drone platform, the new technology extended mission endurance from 33 minutes to a full hour without requiring any airframe modifications.
The leap in performance stems from the battery's ability to shed weight while significantly boosting total energy. In testing, the Licerion Strike pack weighed 1.30 kilograms compared to the 2.10 kilograms of the conventional system, while simultaneously increasing peak discharge capability from 120 to 200 amperes. CEO Pamela Fletcher noted that these gains directly address the primary constraint of modern unmanned systems, where advanced AI navigation and electronic warfare sensors compete with propulsion for limited power.
Because the hardware maintains the same form factor as existing batteries, it serves as a direct drop-in replacement for current defense and aerospace platforms. Beyond simple endurance, the company expects the technology to unlock new operational profiles, including heavier sensor payloads and extended hovering capabilities. With full manufacturing based in the United States, Sion Power is positioning the technology to meet federal mandates for a domestic battery supply chain, targeting applications ranging from loitering munitions to autonomous maritime systems.
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