Reliance RS60 Weight v power trade off in pack design - how to pick the right balance.
Discover the Reliance RS60 cell, designed for UAV applications, balancing weight and power for optimal performance in drone battery design.
Value Propositions
Cylindrical 21700 form factor for efficient space utilisation.
Nominal capacity of 21.6 Wh and 6.0 Ah for reliable energy delivery.
Top-quartile volumetric energy density of 858 Wh/l for compact designs.
Maximum continuous discharge of 50 A, ensuring high performance under load.
Gravimetric power density of 2517 W/kg, ideal for lightweight UAV applications.

About the Cell
The Reliance RS60 cell features a cylindrical 21700 form factor, optimising space and weight for UAV applications. With a nominal capacity of 21.6 Wh and 6.0 Ah, it delivers reliable energy for various drone missions. The cell boasts a volumetric energy density of 858 Wh/l, placing it in the top-quartile compared to the database median of 542 Wh/l, making it suitable for compact battery designs. Additionally, the maximum continuous discharge rate of 50 A ensures that the RS60 can handle demanding applications, while its gravimetric power density of 2517 W/kg is ideal for lightweight drone configurations, significantly exceeding the database median of 750 W/kg. These features make the RS60 a strong candidate for UAV battery optimisation, particularly in applications requiring high energy density and lightweight solutions.
Application Challenges
In the EVTOL sector, the weight versus power trade-off is critical for effective pack design. The Reliance RS60 cell addresses this challenge by providing a balance of high energy density and lightweight construction. For UAVs, the ability to extend flight time while maintaining performance is paramount. The RS60's specifications allow for efficient energy use, which is essential in applications such as long endurance drone batteries and heavy lift drone batteries. The challenge lies in selecting the right battery cells that can deliver the necessary power without adding excessive weight, thus impacting overall flight efficiency and mission success.
Why this Cell
The Reliance RS60 cell is specifically designed to meet the demands of UAV applications, particularly in balancing weight and power. With a maximum continuous discharge of 50 A, it is positioned in the top-quartile compared to the median of 30 A in the database, ensuring it can support high discharge rates required for dynamic flight profiles. Its volumetric energy density of 858 Wh/l not only meets but exceeds the median of 542 Wh/l, making it an excellent choice for compact UAV battery packs. This cell's ability to deliver high performance while remaining lightweight is crucial for applications such as VTOL drone battery pack design and custom UAV battery packs, where every gram counts.
How Model-Based Design Helps
Simulation and model-based design play a vital role in optimising the performance of the Reliance RS60 cell for UAV applications. By modelling load profiles, engineers can predict how the cell will behave under various conditions, including thermal rise and voltage sag. This predictive capability allows for the selection of the most suitable cell for specific missions, ensuring that the RS60 can deliver the required thrust and energy throughout the flight envelope. For instance, simulating the thermal behaviour of the RS60 under heavy loads can prevent overheating and ensure safe operation, which is critical in high-stakes environments. This approach not only enhances battery thermal management for drones but also supports accurate drone battery state of charge (SOC) prediction, ultimately improving mission reliability.


