Specialist Battery Solutions for Commercial & Military UAVs & Unmanned Systems

Denchi Group is a leading developer of specialist battery solutions for commercial and military UAVs (unmanned aerial vehicles) and unmanned systems. With over 20 years of experience in supporting operations across air, sea and land, we maintain close links with the UK MOD, as well as industry leaders and defence primes including BAE Systems, Lockheed Martin, General Dynamics and many more.

Our Expertise

We are highly experienced in the design and development of both off-the-shelf and custom battery solutions for challenging unmanned and robotic vehicle applications in all domains. We can create products that withstand the high shock and vibration conditions of tracked UGVs, as well as operating conditions in unpressurised drone airframes at altitudes of up to 16,000 ft. Notably, Denchi was selected to provide the lithium-ion emergency avionics backup battery for Thales’ Watchkeeper UAV.

Our expert in-house engineering teams possess broad and deep experience across a range of key disciplines, including electrical and electronics hardware, software, mechanical engineering, and systems integration.

Bespoke battery & charger development for UAVs & UxVs

We can develop a bespoke battery solution to your exact requirements, working as an extension of your team and handling any or all aspects of the project lifecycle from requirements capture through to volume production. We are experienced in working with a range of chemistries and technologies, including rechargeable lithium-ion and lithium polymer.

We also specialise in the development of advanced custom battery management systems that incorporate safety-critical features such as segmented architectures, and can create comprehensive communications protocols that enable easy integration into your platforms.

Manufacturing and test are carried out at our UK-based 600-square meter facilities, where we can handle high or low production volumes. All batteries undergo rigorous testing using state-of-the-art equipment, with key tests including shock, vibration, thermal, electrical, altitude, cell penetration, over-temperature and short-circuit.

COTS Products

We have developed a range of off-the-shelf battery products that have been engineered to ensure the utmost in reliability under the challenging real-world conditions faced by UAVs and unmanned systems.

6T Lithium-Ion Battery

Designed specifically for armored vehicles, the 6T Lithium-Ion Battery is ideal for UGVs, utilizing cutting-edge high-power lithium-ion cells with excellent energy density. It offers two charging modes – Integrated Charger, where the battery controls charging from a regulated current source, and Bypass Mode, where cells can be charged directly and rapidly.

Voltage: 21 – 28.7V
Capacity: 85 Ah
Energy: 2.142 KWh

BB-2590 Smart Battery

The Denchi BB-2590 is a Level 3 smart lithium ion battery that is ideal for demanding drone and robotics applications and is equivalent to the NSN 6140-01-490-4316 military battery. Offering dual 14.4V or 28.8V outputs, the rugged waterproof battery utilizes an SMBus interface to communicate with the host platform and to control how it is charged from any Level 3 smart charger.

Voltage: 20-32.8V (24V mode) and 10–16.4V (12V mode)
Capacity: 10.5Ah (28.8V nominal), 21.0Ah (14.4V nominal)
Energy Density: 302.4 Wh

Sparrowhawk Battery

Our lightweight Sparrowhawk lithium-ion batteries for UAVs are designed to power electronic payloads as well as to provide emergency power to the controls should the main engine fail. The compact high-capacity units feature internal heating and a range of safety features including health monitoring and protection against over-charge, over- and under-voltage, and over-temperature.

Voltage Range: 18-29.4V
Capacity: 48Ah
Specific Energy: 145 Wh/kg

Small Military Vehicle Auxiliary Battery

The SMV Auxiliary Battery is a compact and lightweight unit that is designed to provide backup power and silent watch capabilities, delivering run times that are far superior to conventional lead acid batteries. The high-capacity battery features integrated control electronics for efficient operation.