Amprius Technologies has unveiled a new silicon-based battery cell, the SiCore®500, capable of delivering 500 Wh/kg power density. Designed specifically for long-endurance unmanned aerial applications, the cell maintains this high energy output at a 1C discharge rate and can be produced using existing standard lithium-ion battery manufacturing lines.
This technological milestone allows the scalability of high-performance batteries for use in High-Altitude Platform Stations (HAPS) and fixed-wing drones that require lightweight, high-capacity energy sources. The company emphasizes that achieving such energy density typically involves specialized manufacturing, but their second-generation SiCore platform attains it through conventional equipment, enabling broader adoption and cost-effective mass production.
Support from Industry Partners
Amprius has been a supplier to AALTO HAPS since 2018. In 2025, AALTO set a world endurance record with a 67-day flight involving the Zephyr platform, which is part of Airbus. Pierre-Antoine Aubourg, COO of AALTO HAPS, highlighted the significance of energy density in extending mission durations. Meanwhile, Dr. Ionel Stefan, CTO of Amprius, confirmed that this breakthrough is expected to be commercially available in the fourth quarter of 2026, initially at their Fremont, California facility, with future volume production planned through global manufacturing partners.
