Sesame Solar and Heven AeroTech Introduce ‘Mobile Drone Refueling Nanogrids’ to Enable 24/7 UAS Operations
Sesame Solar, the mobile, off-grid power solution for defense and commercial partners, today announced the launch of its new Sesame Mobile DRNs in partnership with Heven AeroTech, the market leader in hydrogen-powered unmanned aircraft systems. This comprehensive Surveillance and Drone Refueling Nanogrid solution includes two Heven AeroTech Z1 drones, satellite communications, edge computing, mobile radar, and atmospheric water generation, creating a fully independent aerial operations capability built in the United States.
Modern defense operations increasingly rely on UAS for intelligence, surveillance, and logistics support in remote or contested areas. Until now, those missions were limited by short battery life and frequent refueling needs, oftentimes exposing humans to dangerous environments. Sesame and Heven AeroTech are eliminating those challenges with the Sesame Mobile DRNs and Heven’s Z1 hydrogen-powered Group II VTOL UAS .
By generating its own power through solar energy, hydrogen generation, and low-pressure solid-state storage, Sesame’s Mobile DRNs function as the first closed-loop, mobile refueling stations for Heven’s Z-1 platform. This combination delivers 8+ hours of flight endurance—up to six times longer than battery-powered systems—and enables drones to operate autonomously in the field for up to six months.
When paired with Heven’s Z-1s, Sesame’s DRN allows for continuous 24/7 drone operations in any environment, empowering defense, border protection, and law enforcement agencies to execute complex missions without dependence on external fuel supplies. Upon arrival, drones can be assembled and deployed in just five minutes—no tools required—and refueled instantly from Sesame’s solid-state hydrogen tanks, eliminating wait times for hydrogen generation.
“Making our defense operations more energy resilient and simplifying operational energy logistics ultimately strengthens national security,” said Lauren Flanagan, CEO and Co-Founder of Sesame Solar. “By removing reliance on fuel supply chains, often controlled by countries outside of the U.S., we’re giving troops the ability to focus on mission-critical tasks, making military operations more efficient and helping to keep Americans and our allies safer.”
Sesame’s Mobile Nanogrids are made in the USA and are part of a growing movement to strengthen American manufacturing and energy resilience. Strategically designed to be mobile and easy to transport, Sesame’s Nanogrids can be rapidly deployed by land, sea, or air, wherever agencies need power. The system is safe to transport, quiet, has a low thermal signature, and is built for contested or austere environments. Once deployed, Sesame’s Mobile Nanogrids can be set up by one person in 15 minutes, providing immediate off-grid power through solar, battery and solid-state hydrogen storage, and hydrogen generation.
“Drones play a critical role in the success of modern-day military operations. However, legacy solutions like battery-operated or gas-powered drones are limited by their energy systems,” said Bentzion Levinson, CEO and Founder of Heven AeroTech. “At Heven, our hydrogen-powered UAS paired with Sesame’s Mobile DRNs can stay aloft 24/7 and operate for months in the field while being stationed in remote environments, without the need to bring in hydrogen. Together, we’re unlocking a new level of endurance and independence for defense, security, and emergency response missions.”
This strategic partnership with Heven coincides with Sesame’s strategic acquisition of Harynss’ market-leading solid-state hydrogen storage system, establishing Sesame as the sole source for a safer and more efficient way to produce, store, and transport hydrogen. Sesame’s technology enables hydrogen to be stored at low pressure in a solid-state, eliminating explosion risks associated with liquid or gaseous hydrogen, so the Nanogrids can be safely transported by land, sea or air.
With these new developments, Sesame Solar is advancing its mission to deliver reliable, mobile energy wherever it’s needed—from natural disaster zones to operating bases. To date, 65 Mobile Nanogrids have been deployed across the United States, Caribbean and Indo-Pacific, serving partners such as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, U.S. Marines, Comcast, Cox, Santa Barbara County Office of Emergency Services, the City of Ann Arbor and more. The company also recently opened a 38,000-square-foot manufacturing facility in Jackson, Michigan, further expanding its production capacity to meet increasing defense and commercial demand.
About Sesame Solar
Sesame Solar is revolutionizing self-generating, off-grid, mobile power deployment with innovative Mobile Nanogrids, engineered specifically for dual-use applications. From military operations to civilian and humanitarian missions, Sesame Solar’s versatile Mobile Nanogrids increase operational efficiency and resiliency. Operating as mobile, energy-independent power stations, Sesame’s Nanogrids deliver continuous, dependable, self-generating energy, ensuring weeks of energy autonomy—no fuel supply logistics required. The company is trusted by leading organizations such as the U.S. Marines, Comcast and Cox Communications, and San Diego Gas and Electric, with investments from Morgan Stanley, BELLE Capital, PAX Angels and VSC Ventures. Made in Pure Michigan, USA, Sesame is committed to American reindustrialization and energy resilience.
About Heven AeroTech
Founded in 2019, Heven AeroTech is the market leader in hydrogen-powered, runway-independent drones engineered for mission-critical operations. Headquartered in Sterling, Virginia, and with operations in Bingen, Washington, Heven AeroTech designs, manufactures, and deploys unmanned systems that combine endurance, stealth, and modularity for defense, commercial, and humanitarian use. Committed to domestic supply chain security, Heven AeroTech’s advanced hydrogen-powered platforms deliver unmatched flight endurance and operational independence—providing warfighters, first responders, and commercial operators with the tools to succeed in the most complex and demanding mission environments.
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The press release also ran in the following publications:
North American Clean Energy: https://www.nacleanenergy.com/alternative-energies/sesame-solar-and-heven-aerotech-introduce-mobile-drone-refueling-nanogrids-to-enable-24-7-uas-operations
Disaster Recovery Journal: https://drj.com/industry_news/sesame-solar-and-heven-aerotech-introduce-mobile-drone-refueling-nanogrids-to-enable-24-7-uas-operations/
Aviation Week: https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/sesame-heven-unveil-hydrogen-fueling-pod-fuel-cell-drone-ops
Fuel Cell Works: https://fuelcellsworks.com/2025/10/31/energy-innovation/sesame-solar-and-heven-aerotech-unveil-mobile-hydrogen-nanogrid-for-24-7-military-drone-refueling#google_vignette
