While multiple technologies are driving this revolution in tactical operations, reliable and intelligent power management is critical. How UAVs use their energy is essential for mission success.

This article looks at the need for intelligent power management in UAVs and ePropelled’s solutions. We explore how this technology is driving reliability in defense applications.

Why Intelligent Power Management Is Necessary For UAVs

Intelligent power systems (iPS) are necessary for UAVs for multiple reasons. Managing and controlling power to aerial units provides them with more tactical options.

Even before the modern drone revolution, defense UAVs faced power management challenges. Most missions required long-distance travel in hostile terrain across locations where recharging wasn’t possible. Traditional approaches found it hard to provide consistent energy supplies in these conditions, leading to failures and loss of craft.

Furthermore, UAVs couldn’t adjust their power demands according to the situation. Older versions simply had to draw from batteries (or other forms of power supply) according to the limits imposed by the system, reducing their capacity for pulsed operations.

iPS is a recent development that offers solutions for these issues and brings additional benefits. This technology gives drones the ability to manage their available power in extreme conditions, allowing them to traverse rugged and hostile landscapes with greater reliability.

For example, iPSs enable drones to draw periodic high power when maneuvering or using radar/electronic equipment in bursts. This ability lets them dash into hostile situations, perform tactical operations, and leave.

Many of these systems meet MIL-STD-704 and MIL-STD-810. These ensure that they adhere to military performance standards in harsh and hostile terrain where mission conditions may be less-than-ideal. Gradings like these ensure intelligent power management systems are more robust against high-altitude flying, intense vibrations, and jamming devices.

Sometimes, iPSs also facilitate the use of advanced drone-mounted electronic warfare systems. Superior power management enables continuous or pulsed deployment of these weapons and communication systems.

Conventional power management in drones has been around for some time. However, intelligent systems were not available until the development of more advanced software. These innovations provide drones with more ways to manage their power and deal with operational challenges.

For example, superior power management helps to overcome long-range missions. Many UAVs must operate in remote areas without fuelling, but iPS can monitor energy usage and enable drones to fly at longer ranges. Real-time optimization can adjust power usage based on environmental inputs such as wind, and temperature to extend range.

Harsh environments were another problem. Drones had to deal with vibrations and electromagnetic interference attacks. iPS reduces these by developing hardened technologies that meet military standards but can also remain airborne. Switching systems allow compatible UAVs to go between electric and ICE engines when necessary. Hybrid drones become more feasible when power management is adequate. Hybrid energy integration is another important benefit, where Intelligent systems can manage multiple energy sources (e.g., solar, fuel cells, battery) for longer missions.

Overcoming challenges relating to continuous and pulsed power demands is also something being made possible by proper UAV power management. iPSs can adapt to varying requirements in the field, providing the right level of power at the right time.

Ultimately, these improvements make drones more reliable in critical tactical situations. iPSs use smart software to manage power usage and ensure that the motors and onboard equipment receive a steady supply of energy.

ePropelled’s Intelligent Power Systems

ePropelled has been at the forefront of the development of iPSs in the defense space over the last few years. As a USA-based company, we’re able to offer the highest quality manufactured parts, providing militaries and defense departments with more options (besides cheap products from the Far East).

ePropelled sells numerous intelligent power systems for UAVs of various sizes, ranging from 750W to more than 6kW. Our iPS systems convert between various forms of current to power sensitive onboard electronics and avionics, as well as conventional electric motors. Such systems overcome many of the traditional constraints of UAV power systems for greater performance and reliability in the field.

Key Features of ePropelled’s iPS

ePropelled’s iPSs offer benefits that simply aren’t possible using alternative solutions from overseas. Our focus is on creating the highest quality parts for maximum UAV reliability.

Compactness

For example, we focus on using materials and designs that achieve more compactness. This comprehensive approach enables us to save weight, which is critical for long-distance drone operations. Our approach boosts UAV performance and eliminates many of the traditional constraints on tactical drone usage.

Real-Time Monitoring

iPS’s real-time monitoring capabilities are also a benefit for UAV reliability and overall performance. Our units track input and output voltages and current levels, enabling the system as a whole to adjust better to tactical situations.

Integration With Starter Generators

ePropelled’s iPSs can also integrate with starter generators. These setups make hybrid engine designs more feasible. Intelligent power systems begin by directing energy to electric motors before converting to ICE or jet propulsion.

Higher Efficiency

Finally, ePropelled’s iPS offers up to 93.5% efficiency, allowing better conversion of battery power into thrust. This upgrade reduces lost energy and allows drones to fly longer, even accounting for additional system weight. Prioritized power control, in critical situations, ensures power is maintained for high-priority systems like navigation or communications.

UAV Reliability

Combined, ePropelled’s iPS systems improve UAV reliability significantly. Our systems provide units with the ability to perform consistently at the highest levels during active operations and provide data outputs for detecting issues that could arise via real-time monitoring. Systems can pick up on failures with APIs tailored to various power management strategies and mission requirements. Such systems can detect and isolate electrical faults, rerouting power to maintain operation and safety.

Importantly, ePropelled’s iPSs offer tactical users more control over UAVs, enabling hybrid power systems and more. These integrations permit switching between electric and internal combustion modes for greater operational range.

ePropelled has already begun helping defense contractors with various hybrid-ready power management systems. For example, we assisted the IDF with its Aerotor Unmanned Systems by outfitting an Apus 15 multi-rotor Quadcopter UAV with our Hercules starter generators and intelligent power systems. Dual propulsion was a priority for this group and required to make its drone operations more sustainable.

Multi-rotor quadcopters, like the Apus 15, need advanced power management for multiple motors and onboard electronics. Furthermore, these drones require switching between ICE and electric motors during flight, similar to hybrid cars on the road. As such, any iPS we implemented had to be capable of high flight speeds, lifting heavy payloads and long-distance missions.

Fortunately, the Hercules SG750 starter generator and iPS750 intelligent power system fit the bill. These enabled the Apus 15 to travel for extended periods with reduced battery power reliance and more flexible engine mode switching (including remotely).

The Broader Implications Of Enhancing UAV Reliability

The broader implications of enhancing UAV reliability for military and defense applications are extensive. Our iPS technology represents a sea-change in how contractors think about drone warfare. The innovations we are making today are paving the way for future UAVs to carry higher payloads alongside other energy-intensive systems, like directed energy weapons and EMI countermeasures. UAVs will have even more demanding power flux requirements going forward, making iPSs a key enabling technology on the road to more advanced drone tactical capabilities.

We’re most excited about how iPS technology is enhancing mission effectiveness. Militaries across the globe are able to do more with less using these advanced, game-changing power solutions. ePropelled’s iPS is making it possible to extend the range of many systems beyond what was previously thought possible.

AI integration will likely accelerate from now until 2030, increasing the potential of iPS further. Intelligent power systems will switch between AI chips when processing is required, and then revert back to providing power to the motors. As such, iPS may be an essential enabler of autonomous flying during high-threat scenarios when drones are out of remote range and artificial intelligence must take action to respond to threats.

Future iPS Trends

The future of UAV power management is unclear but the current progress in the area is promising. ePropelled is developing new systems that radically improve field capabilities.

• Swarm operations. Future intelligent power systems will need to adapt to the anticipated swarm operations, where thousands of drones attack a specific target or installation to overwhelm it. iPSs will help with coordinating power usage across drones so that they can act as a team, enabling drones with low battery to offload tasks to others.

• Advanced payload support. Future iPS will also facilitate advanced payload support. Next-generation technologies may cater to the power requirements of tactical-grade laser sensors, jammers, electronic warfare systems, or microwave weapons.

Aside from this, iPS will continue to grow in performance in more rugged environments. Hybrid power will become more critical and militaries demand drones operate over extended ranges.

Understanding How iPS Enhance UAV Reliability

Ultimately, ePropelled’s systems highlight how proper iPS integration can boost UAV performance. Preventive maintenance enables users to predict wear and tear on batteries and power electronics, reducing the risk of in-flight failures. Already, we’re improving drone efficiency and reliability with power management, including on our successful integration of iPS with the Apus 15 UAV for the IDF. The better these power management systems become, the more technologies they will be able to integrate and support.

Originally published at https://epropelled.com on July 15, 2025.