DARPA Seeks Non-Rigid Military Batteries for Uncrewed and Wearable Systems

Promethean Clay program aims to develop flexible energy storage with enhanced thermal resilience and safety.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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U.S. military researchers are seeking to develop non-rigid, flexible batteries that can be structurally integrated into a variety of military systems, including land vehicles, uncrewed systems, wearable electronics, and all-electric surface warships. The goal is to eliminate the need for rigid, heavy battery exoskeletons and enhance safety and thermal management.

Why it matters

Flexible, high-capacity batteries could significantly extend the range and endurance of military vehicles and uncrewed systems without increasing weight or compromising mobility. They could also enable more power-hungry systems like high-energy lasers and microwave weapons to be more compact and fieldable. Improved energy storage could also help stabilize forward-deployed electrical microgrids and reduce reliance on fuel convoys.

The details

The DARPA Promethean Clay program seeks to redesign energy storage using mechanical and chemical co-design to overcome the rigidity imposed by today's electrical batteries. Contractors will design material interfaces that remain stable during operation and ensure uniform mechanical properties. The program aims to demonstrate an energy storage framework as a co-designed power source that brings together safety, reduced packaging, and practical energy density.

  • The Promethean Clay program is a four-year initiative with three phases.
  • The first two-year phase will demonstrate the energy storage framework.
  • The second one-year phase will focus on systems integration.
  • The third one-year phase will focus on application feasibility and overcoming rigid packaging.

The players

DARPA

The U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency, which is leading the Promethean Clay program to develop flexible energy storage for military applications.

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What’s next

Companies interested in the Promethean Clay program should submit abstracts by March 11, 2026 and proposals by April 22, 2026 through the DARPA BAA Tool online.

The takeaway

The Promethean Clay program represents a significant shift in military battery technology, moving away from rigid, heavy designs towards flexible, integrated energy storage solutions that can enhance the capabilities of a wide range of uncrewed and wearable military systems.