The US Department of War has awarded Amprius Technologies a $75 million grant to convert an existing civilian EV battery production line in the US into a line making high-energy-density batteries for military drones. The line is operated by a major South Korean manufacturer, and the grant comes through the Industrial Base Analysis and Sustainment Program (IBAS), which funds domestic manufacturing deemed critical to national security.
The stated objective is to establish high-volume, commercially viable US manufacturing for advanced battery systems that power Group 1, 2, and 3 unmanned aerial systems. Amprius says the converted line will have capacity to produce 12 million cells annually, with completion planned for early 2028. The company also says the grant will expand its contract manufacturing relationships and supply NDAA-compliant pouch cells at scale.
The move follows a $15 million order Amprius received in 2024 from an anonymous customer described as a leading unmanned aircraft system manufacturer. Amprius CEO Tom Stepien said the grant is intended to establish a primary source of domestic, NDAA-compliant battery production. The source notes an additional $25 million from other sources, but does not specify where that funding comes from.