Lyten and AEVEX Team Up to Equip Unmanned Aerial Systems with US-Made Lithium-Sulfur Batteries

Lyten, a global leader in Lithium-Sulfur battery technology and supermaterial applications, has partnered with AEVEX Aerospace, a US leader in airborne intelligence solutions. This collaboration aims to demonstrate, manufacture, and deliver unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) powered by Lithium-Sulfur batteries. The partnership’s objective is to produce UAVs that are lighter, have a longer range, and are the first to fully comply with the 2024 National Defense Authorization Act’s (NDAA) domestic battery sourcing requirements.

AEVEX is a leader in advanced manned and unmanned systems and services, catering to both government and commercial clients. The company excels in designing, developing, and deploying unmanned systems that adhere to the highest standards of performance and reliability. Their UAVs are known for their durability, sophisticated technology integration, and adaptability for specific missions, making them the top choice for intricate global operations.

Lyten manufactures Lithium-Sulfur battery cells in both pouch and cylindrical formats (2170 and 18650). These cells are now being shipped from their San Jose, CA facility for customer testing. The high energy density and lightweight nature of Lyten’s Lithium-Sulfur batteries make them suitable for a variety of industries, including automotive, space, aerospace, UAVs, micromobility, defense, and consumer electronics. These cells are manufactured using locally sourced raw materials in the US, ensuring compliance with the Inflation Reduction Act, the 2024 NDAA, and exempting them from Section 301 Tariffs on electric vehicles, batteries, and critical minerals from China. In July, Lyten was recognized on the Silicon Valley Defense Group’s NATSEC100 list for the second consecutive year, standing out as the only battery company among the top national security technologies.

In December 2023, the US Congress enacted the 2024 NDAA, which forbids the US Department of Defense (DoD) from sourcing batteries or battery components from Chinese manufacturers after October 2027.

“From the start, our goal with Lithium-Sulfur batteries has been to drive widespread electrification,” said Dan Cook, Lyten CEO and Co-Founder. “We aim to achieve higher energy density and lighter weight by utilizing readily available, cost-effective raw materials that can be produced in the US and Europe with existing manufacturing facilities. We are pleased to see the US Government acknowledge the importance of a domestic battery industry and implement policies that support this vision.”

AEVEX manufactures a diverse range of unmanned aerial systems used by the US government and globally. “Effective policy should encourage innovative solutions, and that’s exactly what our partnership with Lyten exemplifies,” said Brian Raduenz, Chief Executive Officer of AEVEX. “We are not only leading the way as the first defense contractor to fully comply with the 2024 NDAA mandate but also doing so in a way that enhances the performance and safety of our UAVs.”

AEVEX and Lyten have commenced integration efforts and aim to deliver the first UAVs powered by Lyten Lithium-Sulfur batteries by the end of 2024.