Valgotech Awarded AFWERX SBIR Phase II Contract
Fishers, Indiana – Valgotech LLC announces it has been selected by AFWERX for an SBIR Phase II contract in the amount of $1, 249, 934 focused on High Discharge Power Capacity Lithium-Sulfur Batteries for Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) and Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (EVTOL) vehicles to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF). The Air Force Research Laboratory and AFWERX have partnered to streamline the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) process by accelerating the small business experience through faster proposal to award timelines, changing the pool of potential applicants by expanding opportunities to small business and eliminating bureaucratic overhead by continually implementing process improvement changes in contract execution. The DAF began offering the Open Topic SBIR/STTR program in 2018 which expanded the range of innovations the DAF funded and now on June 20, 2024, Valgotech LLC will start its journey to create and provide innovative capabilities that will strengthen the national defense of the United States of America.
According to Valgotech’s CEO and Founder, Dr. David Olawale, the project, with the support of the DAF, will enable the company to address one of the key challenges to the practical application of lithium-sulfur (Li-S) batteries. Li-S batteries have low power density, which limits their use for applications like unmanned air vehicles (UAV), munitions, and EVTOL. Working with the AFRL/RDL, the company will work on achieving the power density requirements not just for UAV and EVTOL but also push toward the Directed Energy Directorate’s requirements.
Valgotech’s Li-S batteries will help the DAF in developing UAVs, munitions, and EVTOL with longer range and lower operating cost for different missions. This can also help reduce our service members' exposure to the enemy through the longer range and higher payload capabilities from our Li-S batteries for these systems. In addition, Li-S batteries can operate at wider and extreme temperature range (-30 oC to 60 oC) without needing extra cooling or heating system, thereby giving the DAF battery systems that can be used for different applications and on different missions anywhere in the world.
This award is a strategic step to accelerate Valgotech’s R&D efforts significantly. The partnership with the DAF will support our expansion of practical Li-S battery innovation for national defense purposes and reduce the nation’s reliance on foreign-sourced and expensive batteries and battery materials.
Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the Department of the Air Force, the Department of Defense, or the U.S. government.
About Valgotech LLC
Valgotech is an energy storage company with a portfolio of proprietary technologies that enable us to develop and introduce innovative battery systems into different markets. We operate from Indiana's Valgotech Energy Research and Development (VERAD) Center.
We utilize a market-driven and systems-based approach in our product development process to expedite the delivery of advanced batteries that offer superior safety, performance, and affordability.
About AFWERX
As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 370 military, civilian, and contractor personnel at five hubs and sites, executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed over 6,100 new contracts worth more than $4 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: www.afwerx.com.
Company Press Contact:
Martha Olawale
Director, Communications
Photo by: Hyundai Motor Group
