The Royal Navy

Case Study:
The Royal Navy
Safe Charging for High Capacity Drone Batteries

In October 2024, Phoenix Safe received a enquiry from the Royal Navy’s Drone Squadron regarding the safe storage and charging of high capacity lithium ion batteries used for tactical unmanned aerial vehicles.

THE CHALLENGE –

The existing options on the market simply did not make the cut. Most lacked the shelf loading, internal volume or safety features needed to handle the Navy’s growing inventory of powerful T150B Malloy Aeronautics batteries.

Each battery weighed 26 kilograms and delivered up to 5.44 kilowatt hours, making them serious pieces of kit. At the time, the squadron held 20 of these, but they expected that number to double to 40 in the near future. On top of that, there were another 140 smaller drone batteries needing secure containment. They needed more than just a steel cabinet. They needed a safe, smart solution that could:

Safely store and charge high capacity batteries
Handle future growth in battery numbers and formats
Offer integrated fire suppression, detection and alert control
Prevent overloads and provide real time warnings
Fit within strict site and security requirements
Come fully supported with technical guidance and servicing options

A Teams meeting was booked immediately, and within 24 hours the Phoenix team was walking them through their safest option.

The Recommendation

After discussing the site constraints, battery specifications and operational workflow, it was clear that the Phoenix Battery Commander BS1934 was the only unit that ticked every box. With over 626 litres of internal capacity, heavy duty adjustable shelving, fire protection and built-in charging support, the BS1934 could comfortably accommodate the Navy’s current needs and future growth.

The recommendation also included additional components to tailor the cabinet to the specific operational risks involved. These included fire suppression systems, external control units, upgraded power distribution units and a three phase power supply for high demand charging.

To speed up the procurement process, Phoenix Safe supported the Navy through the Unite Tailspend framework to allow fast and compliant purchasing.

The Deployment Timeline

October 2024: Initial enquiry received. Virtual meeting held next day to assess needs
November 2024: BS1934E confirmed as viable solution following battery analysis
December 2024: Configuration finalised. Procurement supported through Unite Tailspend
January 2025: Specification agreed including suppression, control system and power upgrades
February 2025: Delivery logistics and site access agreed
March 2025: Cabinets delivered, installed and fully operational

The Outcome

Phoenix delivered a future ready solution that gave the Royal Navy operational confidence and peace of mind. With the BS1934E installed, the squadron can now:

Safely charge up to 40 large format lithium ion batteries at once
Prevent overloading during charge cycles
Expand to accommodate additional drone batteries in future
Meet strict safety and compliance standards with no compromise.

Conclusion

This partnership reinforced Phoenix’s role as a trusted supplier to the United Kingdom’s most critical services, including defence, emergency response and public safety organisations.