Factorial Inc., a U.S.-based solid-state battery developer, has shipped its first FEST® (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) lithium-metal battery cells to Avidrone Aerospace Inc. for integration into a high-endurance cargo drone. This shipment represents Factorial’s inaugural entry into the unmanned aerial systems (UAS) market and the first in-flight deployment of its FEST® platform.
Avidrone, a Canadian firm specializing in long-range, dual-use UAS platforms, plans a series of demonstration flights to assess the batteries’ energy efficiency, power discharge characteristics, payload capacity, and operational range. Tests will be conducted under real-world conditions, including high-altitude operations, variable temperatures, and sustained vibrations.
“This delivery is a major step forward in bringing our battery platform to the skies,” said Siyu Huang, CEO of Factorial. “Avidrone’s specialized platform is the perfect testbed to prove how our high-energy, lightweight lithium-metal technology can unlock new levels of range and performance in aerial systems. Drones are not just an emerging market – they’re a strategic priority for national defense, critical logistics, and infrastructure resilience, and we see this as the first of many aerospace applications for our solid-state batteries.”
Scott Gray, founder and CEO of Avidrone Aerospace, noted that “weight equals range—and range defines the mission. Factorial’s solid-state cells provide a crucial advantage in endurance and payload, enabling new capabilities for defense, logistics, and emergency response.”
Industry forecasts project the global UAS market will expand by $36.1 billion between 2024 and 2028, with military applications alone expected to reach $65 billion by 2032. UAS platforms are increasingly used for intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and commercial uses such as cargo delivery and infrastructure inspection.
Factorial’s FEST® cells offer up to 50% higher energy density than standard lithium-ion technology, promising longer flight times and heavier payloads without significant weight penalties. The company also sees the aerial sector as a complementary growth market to its electric vehicle roadmap, with performance feedback from drone operations informing future EV battery developments. Additionally, Factorial’s U.S.-based manufacturing supports defense and aerospace requirements for domestically produced energy storage solutions.
Source: Business Wire
