Factorial’s solid-state batteries deploy in Avidrone Aerospace UAS

Boston, Massachusetts-based solid-state battery technology developer Factorial Inc. shipped its first solid-state lithium-metal battery cells for drone use to Avidrone Aerospace Inc., a Canadian manufacturer of long-range, dual-use unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The milestone marks Factorial’s first shipment in the drone sector and the first flight deployment of its proprietary FEST (Factorial Electrolyte System Technology) platform. FEST uses electrolyte innovations to enable safe and reliable cell performance with high-capacity cathode and anode materials. The solid-state batteries are designed to integrate seamlessly with existing manufacturing processes for scalability and efficiency.

Avidrone will integrate the cells into its high-endurance cargo drone platform for demonstration flights focused on evaluating energy efficiency, power discharge, payload capacity, and range under real-world operating conditions, including high altitudes, variable temperatures, and sustained vibration.

“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,” says Siyu Huang, Factorial’s CEO. “Drones aren’t 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.”

Factorial’s cells achieve up to 50% greater energy density than conventional lithium-ion batteries, unlocking longer flight times, greater payload capacity, and expanded mission range.

“In unmanned systems, weight equals range – and range defines the mission,” says Scott Gray, founder and CEO of Avidrone Aerospace. “Factorial’s solid-state cells give us a critical edge in endurance and payload, unlocking new capabilities for defense, logistics, and beyond.”

Avidrone develops and manufactures end-to-end, automated unmanned aircraft systems and products ranging from small multi-rotors to large rotorcraft weighing more than 1,000 lb. https://avidrone.com; https://factorialenergy.com

Airspace Link Operations Center launches in AirHub Portal

FAA-approved uncrewed air systems (UAS) management services supplier, Airspace Link, launched the Operations Center in its flagship product AirHub Portal. Designed to give organizations real-time operational oversight, the Operations Center enables strategic insight, situational awareness, and live tracking of drone and crewed aircraft activity in one system.

Its open platform architecture integrates with airspace awareness data sources, including crewed aircraft ADS-B detection systems from uAvionix.

Built for flight operations managers, public safety agencies, airfield managers, and state and local authorities, the Operations Center offers a unified, interactive map display providing a common operational picture of all active and planned missions, ensuring safer, more informed, more efficient decision-making.

The Operations Center includes post-mission analytics, audit trails, and automatic reporting to support regulatory compliance, internal governance, and continuous operational improvement backed by industry standards and best practices SOC 2 and ISO 27001 certifications for protecting sensitive operational data. https://airspacelink.com