343. SAE JA1016: Scaling the Future of UAVs with Battery Interoperability

From drone delivery to public safety and defense, the next generation of uncrewed aerial vehicles y better batteries, but by better battery standards. Listen in as we sit down with Jeff Yambrick, Chair of the SAE Battery Cell Size Standardization Committee, and Lisa King, Director of Advanced Battery Strategy at Leap Manufacturing, to discuss SAE JA1016 — a new standard designed to simplify battery integration, accelerate commercialization, and strengthen the UAV supply chain. During this conversation, you’ll learn why common battery formats are essential for reducing development costs and creating greater interoperability across commercial and defense applications. We also explore the importance of domestic battery manufacturing, supply chain resilience, and how standardization can accelerate innovation without limiting future battery technologies. To join the SAE Battery Cell Size Standardization Committee, email Dante Rahdar at Dante.Rahdar@sae.org. We’d love to hear from you. Share your comments, questions and ideas for future topics and guests to podcast@sae.org. Don’t forget to take a moment to follow SAE Tomorrow Today—a podcast where we discuss emerging technology and trends in mobility with the leaders, innovators and strategists making it all happen—and give us a review on your preferred podcasting platform. Follow SAE on LinkedIn, Instagram, Facebook, X, and YouTube. Follow host Grayson Brulte on LinkedIn, X, and Instagram.