Lincad provides power for PHASA-35 HAPS UAS

Image courtesy BAE Systems

The Surrey-based battery systems specialist has been working collaboratively with Prismatic to increase the battery capacity to power PHASA-35, Prismatic’s ultra-light, solar-electric, high altitude pseudo satellite (HAPS) unmanned aerial system (UAS) developed and built in its facility in Hampshire.

PHASA-35 offers a persistent and cost-effective alternative to traditional communications and image sensing systems, allowing payloads to be sent up into the stratosphere, rather than deeper into space.

PHASA-35 is fitted with advanced solar photovoltaic technology that provides power for the electric motors and for recharging the battery packs during the day, with the battery packs then providing power and maintaining flight overnight. Lincad’s expertise is in the development of a high voltage battery management system (BMS) which provides battery pack control and regulation and incorporates all requisite software and hardware safety features to ensure optimum performance and durability. 

It has worked closely with Prismatic on a unique battery pack design that comprises class leading lithium-ion pouch cells. PHASA-35 has been designed and developed to stay airborne for months at a time.

Lincad’s engineering team had to overcome several challenges to push the boundaries of battery technology and design in the fulfilment of this contract. To maximise energy and power density of the battery packs, innovative design was required to meet the weight and size constraints placed on the BMS and cell stack housing, and a unique battery build procedure has been developed for the high voltage modules required to power PHASA-35.

Peter Slade, Lincad Joint Managing Director, said: “PHASA-35 is a hugely exciting project that is pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in HAPS and UAS technology. We were thrilled to secure this contract to supply a bespoke battery system for this world-leading engineering project and look forward to developing the technology further with Prismatic in the future.”

Bob Davidson, Prismatic CEO, said: “PHASA-35 is a British designed and built system that is the result of successful collaboration with companies big and small. We’re really proud of the work we’ve done to mature PHASA-35 at pace ready for operation as soon as 2026. Our technology collaboration with Lincad is invaluable in ensuring we’re creating a market leading capability with PHASA-35 right here in Britain.”

PHASA-35 is a novel system, which successfully completed stratospheric flight trials exceeding an altitude of 66,000 feet in 2023 and 2024. Weighing just 150kg with a wingspan of 35 metres, PHASA-35 provides a stable platform for key applications such as monitoring, communications, security and surveillance. Its versatile payload allows a wide range of sensor capabilities to be carried and updated as technology advances.