Power Supply for Electronic Warfare (EW) and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Systems: Technological Overview

02.01.2026

Combat effectiveness of electronic warfare (EW) and signals intelligence (SIGINT) systems depending on power supply. Features and requirements of modern EW complexes

Author:
BTRY.ENERGY

Power Supply for Electronic Warfare (EW) and Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) Systems: Technological Overview

Main Types of Battery Chemistries

The choice of battery chemistry depends on the energy consumption of EW/SIGINT systems. The most common are three types of chemistries, each with its own advantages and application areas.

Battery Type	Advantages	Disadvantages	Application Area
Li-NMC (Lithium-nickel-manganese-cobalt oxide)	High energy density per kilogram, high discharge currents	Sensitivity to overheating, shorter lifespan (500–1000 cycles)	Portable EW, FPV jammers, mobile SIGINT
LiFePO4 (Lithium-iron-phosphate)	High thermal stability, long lifespan (2000+ cycles), safety — does not explode	The assembly results in greater weight and dimensions	Stationary dome EW, command posts
Li-ion (Lithium-titanate oxide)	Ultra-fast charging, operation at extremely low temperatures	Very low energy density, high cost	Specialized systems for Arctic conditions

Battery Packs and Configurations

To provide the required voltage and capacity, cells are combined into packs. The most in-demand configurations in Ukraine and worldwide are:

6s Li-NMC (21.96V – 25.2V): standard for many portable modules. Often based on SK Innovation E603A cells (60Ah), providing stable current up to 60A.
7s Li-NMC (25.62V – 29.4V): optimal configuration for systems requiring “clean” 24–28V. Used in cassette systems for armored vehicles.
8s LiFePO4 (25.6V): popular choice for DIY packs and systems like Kvertus, since the voltage perfectly matches the 24V onboard network.

Important: most packs are necessarily equipped with a BMS (Battery Management System) board with Bluetooth support. This allows the operator to monitor temperature, charge level, and overall battery status via smartphone or tablet.

Solutions from Leading Companies

Companies develop their own solutions for powering electronic warfare systems, which can be external batteries or integrated ones.

Well-known Ukrainian Manufacturers

BTRY.ENERGY: offers the cassette system ENERGY MODULE — a system operating on the “hot swap” principle, designed for installation in vehicles. Batteries are housed in aluminum shock-resistant cases, providing passive cooling and protection against fragments.
Kvertus: uses quick-change battery blocks (e.g., 24V 15Ah) for its anti-drone rifles and backpacks. This ensures continuous operation through simple battery replacement.
Lander Donate: specializes in powerful external packs (up to 3 kWh), capable of powering entire SIGINT nodes for a day.

Global Standards

Bren-Tronics (USA): manufacturer of the legendary BB-2590 standard. This is a “smart” battery that automatically switches between 14.4V and 28.8V modes depending on the connected device. It is NATO’s standard for communication and EW systems.
SFC Energy (Germany): offers hybrid solutions based on fuel cells of the EFOY Pro series. They convert methanol into electricity, ensuring quiet operation of SIGINT systems for weeks without recharging from the grid.

Challenges and Innovations

The main problem of EW power supply is high heat generation. Powerful transmitters consume hundreds of watts, part of which turns into heat. If the battery is located in the same housing as the EW system, there is a high risk of overheating.

Modern trends:

Distributed power: placing batteries in separate thermally insulated or cooled containers.
Hybridization: using inverter generators together with buffer batteries to smooth peak loads.
Hot Swap: the ability to replace the battery without turning off the device, avoiding signal loss.

These solutions significantly increase the autonomy and reliability of electronic warfare and intelligence systems in modern conflicts.