Packet Digital has been awarded an additional contract by the U.S. Navy to continue its development of unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) smart batteries, chargers, and power systems.
The contract was awarded as a follow-up to the $8.5 million contract Packet Digital received in December 2022 from the Navy as it sought a standardized battery solution for its UAS fleet to handle ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore missions.
The combination of high-powered and highly efficient batteries with safe and portable storage containers, along with fleet management software, makes Packet Digital’s power solutions for ship-based autonomous systems an all-in-one solution.
Packet Digital designed and developed lithium-ion smart battery packs as part of its previous contract with the Navy, and now with this new contract, it will increase the scale of its manufacturing output at its manufacturing and assembly facility in Fargo.
Utilizing the company’s surface mount technology (SMT) line, automated laser and resistance welding machinery, and its state-of-the-art assembly space, Packet Digital is positioned to manufacture high volumes of smart battery packs for some of the most advanced UAS systems in the world.
In addition to battery solutions, Packet Digital is manufacturing sophisticated charging systems, storage containers, and storage racks to house these products safely and securely aboard Navy ships. With safety and reliability a primary product consideration, Packet Digital underwent thorough testing on its storage containers to ensure safe thermal and ventilation conditions are met under even the most catastrophic conditions.
Packet Digital’s fleet management software ensures power systems are working at peak performance. The software is designed to give users the ability to manage every battery and charging system quickly while providing real-time data on charging status, temperature readings, life-cycle diagnostics and more.
Packet Digital CEO Terri Zimmerman commented, “We have scaled our operations at our manufacturing and assembly facility to meet the increasing demand. We have combined automation with our experienced and talented engineers to achieve unprecedented quality with battery packs and charging systems for the Navy drone fleet.”
Zimmerman continued, “We are leveraging automation, state-of-the-art technology, and an experienced workforce to rapidly produce batteries, chargers and software for drones aboard Navy ships. Our products are helping ensure success on critical ship-to-ship and ship-to-shore missions.”
