Summary
- Profile Type
- Technology request
- POD Reference
- TRGB20250407011
- Term of Validity
- 7 April 2025 - 7 April 2026
- Company's Country
- United Kingdom
- Type of partnership
- Commercial agreement with technical assistance
- Targeted Countries
- All countries
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General information
- Short Summary
- A UK aerospace business is seeking a high-power battery system to support the operation of a large hybrid VTOL – UAV. The system must provide peak power for vertical take-off and landing while meeting stringent size, weight, and performance criteria. The UK company wishes to collaborate under a commercial agreement with technical assistance.
- Full Description
-
The UK company is an aviation business that has developed an innovative heavy-lift UAV. Powered by a hybrid electric system, it carries a 350 kg payload capacity with a range exceeding 1,000 km. Capabilities include vertical take-off and landing, all-weather operation, and BVLOS (beyond visual line of sight) capability, making it suitable for commercial, defence, and government applications.
The hybrid power system outperforms electric-only or fossil-fuel-based UAVs, offering greater endurance with its fuel-battery combination. The design optimises payload capacity and range and is built for airworthiness certification and controlled airspace operations. The vertical take-off and landing capabilities allow it to operate in more environments than other large UAV.
The business collaborates with industry leaders in simulation, modelling analysis, and power system engineering. The team has extensive experience in aerospace, Formula 1 motorsports, and gas turbine technology.
The focus on hybrid power and vertical take-off and landing technology aims to address the limitations of current UAV designs, offering a solution for heavy-lift, long-range operations in various industries. - Technical Specification or Expertise Sought
-
The key performance requirements for high-power battery system the UK company is seeking are:
• Peak power output: 300 kW for short-duration vertical take-off and landing
• Total energy storage: Minimum 75 kWh to support peak power demands and provide a reserve of at least 5 minutes of power post-take-off
• Continuous discharge rate: High discharge capability (minimum 5C) without significant degradation
• Fast charging: System must support rapid recharge times, preferably within 30 minutes
• Weight and size constraints: The battery system must be as compact and lightweight as possible to impact on UAV payload and endurance.
• Preference is lithium-ion (nickel manganese cobalt or similar) chemistries over lithium-titanate (LTO) due to weight constraints. Ideally the weight of the battery and cooling system should be less than 250Kg
• Hybrid battery solutions: Proposals incorporating hybrid approaches that optimise performance while minimising weight are preferred
• Operational voltage range: Ideally within a high-voltage DC system (600V–800V) to optimise efficiency and reduce current draw
• Thermal management & safety: The system must include active cooling and fail-safe measures to prevent thermal runaway or performance loss under high loads
• Durability and lifecycle: Designed for high cycle life with minimal degradation under repeated high-discharge and rapid-charge cycles
• Environmental resilience: Capable of operating in varied conditions, including high-altitude and extreme temperatures - Stage of Development
- Concept stage
- Sustainable Development Goals
- Goal 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities
- Goal 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure
- Goal 7: Affordable and Clean Energy
- IPR status
- IPR applied but not yet granted
Partner Sought
- Expected Role of a Partner
-
The business is seeking a technology partner to provide a high-power battery system for a hybrid VTOL - UAV. The role of the partner will be to supply a battery system or to work with the UK business.
Technology requirements:
• Ideally the solution should be based on existing, commercially available battery technology. Speculative or experimental technologies will not be considered. Innovative batteries that are in the final stages of development and where the manufacturer is interested in a partnership arrangement will also be in scope
• Lithium-Ion (nickel manganese cobalt or similar) is preferred for its superior energy density and weight efficiency. Hybrid battery solutions combining different chemistries to optimise weight and performance are also in scope
Interested suppliers should provide:
• Technical specifications detailing performance characteristics and compliance with the requirements stated
• Battery weight, dimensions, and integration considerations for a UAV platform
• Expected cycle life and maintenance requirements
• Safety and reliability certifications
• Any additional system requirements
• Lead time and production capacity for delivery - Type and Size of Partner
- SME <=10
- SME 11-49
- SME 50 - 249
- Big company
- R&D Institution
- University
- Other
- Type of partnership
- Commercial agreement with technical assistance
Dissemination
- Technology keywords
- 04001003 - Storage of electricity, batteries
- 02011001 - Aeronautical technology / Avionics
- 02011006 - Propulsion
- 02008001 - Air Transport
- Market keywords
- 06011 - Energy for Transport
- 09004008 - Other manufacturing (not elsewhere classified)
- 06007001 - Other energy production
- 09001007 - Other transportation
- Sector Groups Involved
- Aerospace and Defence
- Renewable Energy
- Targeted countries
- All countries