The United States is developing drones powered by next-generation batteries that could keep them airborne for more than three decades, providing persistent surveillance and strike capabilities without landing. This revolutionary concept relies on converting nuclear waste into electricity, potentially transforming military drones, satellites, and other defense platforms by eliminating the need for traditional refueling or recharging.
The core of this innovation lies in the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) "Rads to Watts" program, which aims to create compact, lightweight radiovoltaic batteries. These batteries directly convert radiation from isotopes such as Strontium-90—a byproduct of nuclear waste—into high-density electrical power. The program recently secured a multimillion-dollar contract to develop a proof-of-concept device that can deliver more than 10 watts per kilogram, promising a level of power density and longevity unmatched by current energy sources.
Leading the effort is Morgan State University, which is responsible for fundamental research, supported by Northrop Grumman, the Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL), and Project Omega. Each organization contributes specific expertise: PNNL manages nuclear materials and testing, while Northrop Grumman applies AI-driven computational modeling to optimize the battery’s design before physical prototypes are built. Project Omega focuses on generators that utilize isotopes reclaimed from existing nuclear waste instead of freshly produced radioactive materials.
Unlike solar panels that convert sunlight into electricity, these radiovoltaic batteries harness the energy released by radiation directly, enabling uninterrupted power in environments where solar energy is unreliable or unavailable. This capability would allow drones to loiter silently for decades in the Earth’s atmosphere, capable of sustained intelligence-gathering and precision strikes over vital military sites, ranging from air bases to aircraft carriers.
The prototype is expected to be ready by early 2027 at PNNL. This project represents a significant leap in military technology, pushing the boundaries of endurance and stealth in unmanned aerial systems by leveraging the untapped potential of nuclear waste energy conversion.