Packet Digital has announced a significant milestone in its mission to supply U.S.-made drone battery cells by securing the location for its future manufacturing plant in Fargo, North Dakota. The site, officially confirmed on June 20, will host the construction of an 80,000-square-foot facility dedicated to producing high-performance drone battery cells.
Construction and Equipment Acquisition
With the location secured, Packet Digital is set to commence construction and begin acquiring the necessary equipment for manufacturing its reliable and high-performing drone battery cells domestically. This facility represents the company’s third location and will integrate the entire manufacturing process, from building high-energy density battery cells to assembling complete battery packs at the existing battery pack manufacturing facility in Fargo.
Strategic Importance and Industry Goals
Terri Zimmerman, CEO of Packet Digital, emphasized the strategic importance of this development, noting, “The Department of Defense has made it a priority to ramp up domestic production of critical UAS components. As an industry leader in building battery and charging systems that are safe, reliable, and high performing, the time was right to streamline the supply chain and fully manufacture our products from our high-energy density battery cells and electronics to assembled battery packs, right here in the U.S.”
Partnerships and Local Sourcing
Packet Digital is collaborating closely with U.S. raw material providers to ensure a steady domestic supply chain. Additionally, the company is partnering with universities to innovate and produce lithium-ion batteries with localized raw materials. These partnerships are pivotal in advancing the company’s goal of establishing a robust domestic manufacturing base for drone batteries.
Timeline and Support
Construction of the facility is set to begin in 2024, with production of battery cells expected to start by the end of 2025. Zimmerman acknowledged the broad support received, stating, “Building this facility is an important step towards UAS battery manufacturing in the United States, and the support we’ve received from city, state, and federal governments, as well as university systems, has helped make this possible.”
Packet Digital’s new facility marks a significant step forward in domestic drone battery production, aligning with national priorities and enhancing the company’s capabilities to supply high-performance batteries directly from the United States.