Goliath Battery Stores 3x Energy in Live-Fire Trials
Ilika PLC’s Goliath solid-state batteries have successfully passed extreme safety tests simulating battlefield conditions, according to results from a UK defence agency. Prototype 10Ah Goliath cells, delivered to the agency in December 2025, were subjected to live-fire testing where they were penetrated by ammunition to assess their stability under extreme mechanical abuse. The tests showed a Goliath cell could withstand an initial ballistic impact, with a thermal event only occurring after a second shot.
The results provide crucial validation of Ilika's solid-state architecture, which is designed to mitigate the risk of thermal runaway common in conventional lithium-ion batteries. Compared to the nickel cobalt aluminium (NCA) cells used in the trials, Ilika’s batteries demonstrated a delayed onset of thermal runaway and lower peak temperatures. Crucially, the Goliath cells achieved this enhanced safety profile while storing approximately three times the energy of the conventional cells, a key performance advantage for power-intensive applications.
Defence Validation Opens Path to Commercialization
The positive test results significantly de-risk Ilika's technology for military deployment, supporting ongoing discussions with partners for use in drones, robotics, and other high-risk operating environments. An unnamed power sources expert for the UK defence agency confirmed the findings, stating, “We would be very interested in evaluating Ilika’s technology further in applications optimised for deployment in defence environments.”
Mobile energy storage is important for many modern defence applications, including drones, and we are working with experts in the field to identify the most appropriate avenues for commercialising Goliath in this sector.
— Graeme Purdy, CEO of Ilika.
This real-world durability test distinguishes Ilika's progress in the competitive solid-state battery landscape. While academic research, such as a recent Stanford University study on using silver to prevent micro-cracks, addresses long-term material degradation, Ilika’s achievement directly validates the architecture's resilience against immediate, extreme physical stress. This positions the Goliath platform as a leading contender for sectors where operational safety and reliability are non-negotiable.
Edgen Stock·Mar 21 2026, 07:06