Now Live: South 8 LiGas UAS Demo Video – Enabling Arctic Mission Endurance

March 11, 2026

As global activity and strategic tensions increase in the Arctic, operational demands on unmanned aerial systems (UAS) continue to grow. Battery-powered drones are vital to modern defense and autonomous missions, yet conventional lithium-ion batteries face a critical limitation: liquid electrolytes freeze around -20 °C (-4 °F), grounding missions in extreme cold.

On February 6, 2026, South 8 conducted a controlled flight demonstration at the University of Alaska Fairbanks, with support from the ACUASI team, under real-world cold-weather conditions. The video presents the results of the flight comparison.  Both flights used the same drone platform, the battery cells were identical except for the electrolyte.  One set used conventional liquid electrolyte, while the other incorporated South 8’s LiGas liquefied gas electrolyte.

The results were clear: South 8 LiGas delivered 2.4x longer runtime in cold temperature conditions.

This demonstration reinforces a critical reality for Arctic and extreme environment operations: Endurance is Capability. LiGas extends mission duration and expands operational reach for defense, aerospace, and autonomous systems operating in the harshest environments.

Watch the full video here:
https://lnkd.in/gV2bwxW4

Learn more about South 8:
https://www.south8.com