Nokia picks Amprius SiCore batteries for next-generation drone systems
Nokia has selected Amprius SiCore cells to power its next-generation drone systems for high-reliability missions. The choice follows qualification and testing that showed the batteries could meet endurance, power delivery and safety requirements for Nokia’s drone-in-a-box platform.
The companies said the cells provide the burst power needed for takeoff and the sustained energy required for longer flights. That is critical for keeping obstacle avoidance, return-to-home and other safety systems running throughout a mission. The lightweight design and high energy density also allow the aircraft to carry payloads such as LiDAR, thermal imaging equipment and 5G communications modules without sharply reducing endurance or reliability.
Nokia said the battery upgrade supports longer mission range, greater payload flexibility and higher system efficiency. The move comes as Nokia Drone Networks pushes its platform toward faster deployment and larger-scale operations. The system combines 5G connectivity with an open architecture to support secure beyond-visual-line-of-sight missions over long distances. Paired with the platform’s Extra Long Range capability, the Amprius cells are expected to extend the operating reach of automated drone fleets.
For Amprius, the Nokia selection adds to demand signals for high-energy aviation batteries in operational UAV programs. The company said energy density and temperature control are becoming decisive as drones take on more autonomous and complex missions. That matters in public safety and industrial monitoring, where operators need aircraft that can stay airborne longer, carry more sensors and reduce downtime. Nokia’s decision underlines a broader shift in industrial UAVs: battery performance is becoming central to mission range, payload capacity and the reliability customers now expect.