Arizona-based company Sion Power has announced it will refocus its battery efforts from electric vehicles to defense and aerospace.
Led by former General Motors executive Pamela Fletcher, the firm plans to commercialize its high-energy lithium-metal battery cell portfolio for unmanned aerial systems and other mission-critical systems later this year.
Key solutions to be offered through this transition include Sion’s proprietary Licerion technology, which offers energy densities exceeding 500 watt-hours per kilogram, or about 40 percent additional maximum energy density than traditional lithium-ion batteries.
In addition to standard airborne drones, the enterprise said its batteries can be fitted into loitering munitions, unmanned surface vessels and ground vehicles, as well as space systems.
The company’s production is backed by a 110,000 square-foot (10,219 square-meter) facility in Tucson.
Consistent With Strategic Goals
Sion highlighted that the strategic move comes as defense sectors, particularly autonomous systems, demand substantial requirements in endurance, maneuverability, range, and payload capacity.
The firm has already raised over $200 million for associated development work and plans further capital as it prepares for product launches in 2026.
“Sophisticated unmanned systems and next-generation defense platforms push the limits of today’s battery technology,” Fletcher said.
“Our lithium-metal technology provides the step-change in energy density required to support longer-range missions, increased flight duration and higher payload capability while maintaining a US-based manufacturing capability aligned with national security priorities.”
