The US Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has announced a new effort to advance military battery technology.
The program is designed to develop rechargeable batteries with energy densities 5-10 times higher than those of existing systems. Officials say the goal is to improve endurance and performance across a wide range of defense platforms.
The initiative is being carried out under DARPA-PS-26-118. Companies, research institutions, and technology developers are being invited to propose new battery concepts. Abstract submissions are due this month, while full proposals are expected in August 2026.
The project falls under DARPA’s Expeditionary Power- and Energy-Dense Implementations program(ExPEDitions). The program is scheduled to begin in January 2027. It will run for 36 months and be divided into two phases of 18 months each.
DARPA Powers Future Batteries
Modern batteries often face a tradeoff between energy storage and power delivery. Energy density measures how much energy a battery can store per unit of weight. Power density measures how quickly that stored energy can be released when needed.
Many military platforms require both capabilities simultaneously. Long-endurance surveillance drones need batteries that can operate for extended periods without recharging. At the same time, strike drones and other tactical systems require rapid bursts of power for demanding maneuvers.
READ ALSO: New Cryo-EM Tech Breaks Into the Elusive Realm of Tiny Protein Molecules
DARPA wants to overcome this limitation by developing batteries that combine high energy storage with high power output. The agency is encouraging work on new battery chemistries, advanced materials, and innovative cell designs. Researchers will also explore new battery architectures that improve overall performance.
Why ExPEDitions Program Matters
The demand for portable power is increasing across modern military operations. Unmanned aircraft, autonomous vehicles, communications equipment, sensors, and electronic warfare systems all depend heavily on reliable energy sources. Better batteries can reduce logistical burdens and extend mission duration in remote environments.
WATCH ALSO: Lockheed Martin has converted Black Hawk choppers into pilotless cargo drone
Higher-energy-density batteries can also lower system weight while increasing operational range. This can improve the effectiveness of drones, robotic platforms, and soldier-carried equipment. Similar advances could eventually influence civilian sectors such as aviation, transportation, and energy storage.
DARPA plans to award multiple prototype contracts through Other Transaction Agreements as part of the program. The effort represents a long-term investment in next-generation power technologies that could reshape how future military systems operate.
