FARGO, N.D. (Nov. 2, 2026) — Badland Batteries welcomed FCC Chairman Brendan Carr and U.S. Sen. Kevin Cramer, R-N.D., to its Fargo manufacturing facility for a tour and discussion focused on strengthening America's domestic drone battery supply chain and expanding U.S. manufacturing of the critical technologies that power unmanned aircraft systems (UAS).
During the visit, Chairman Carr and Sen. Cramer toured Badland Batteries' manufacturing operations and met with company leadership to discuss the growing need for American-made battery cells and battery systems that support the next generation of drones and autonomous platforms.
“America cannot achieve drone dominance without securing the critical technologies that make those systems fly, and that includes the battery cells,” said Terri Zimmerman, CEO of Badland Batteries. “We’re building that capability here in North Dakota, designing and manufacturing high-performance cells and battery systems that give U.S. drone companies a domestic source of power they can rely on. This is about more than batteries. It’s about securing America’s industrial base and ensuring we can build the technologies our warfighters depend on.”
Badland Batteries is manufacturing battery cells and battery systems designed specifically for drones and autonomous systems, helping meet the growing demand for high-performance, American-made energy solutions.
“American manufacturers like Badland Batteries are helping to drive domestic industry and ignite our country’s reindustrialization. I am grateful to Senator Cramer for having me in Fargo to tour the new manufacturing facility,” Carr said. “Thanks to the senator’s leadership, bringing in new investment, and jobs, Badland and many other builders across North Dakota are playing a critical role in developing world-leading, next generation technology. By producing advanced drone batteries in the United States, Badland is strengthening our supply chains, expanding our manufacturing base, and helping ensure that the future of UAS innovation is built here in America.”
"Badland Batteries is one of North Dakota’s great success stories. They have quietly built what many people would tell you is impossible: a domestic manufacturing facility capable of helping our nation’s military achieve self-reliance for UAS batteries while meeting or exceeding cost and quality targets,” Cramer said. “Domestic drone dominance starts in Fargo — and thanks to Badland Batteries, it now extends across the globe."
As the United States races to maintain dominance in drone technology, the ability to manufacture the batteries that power those systems has become increasingly important. Badland Batteries is helping meet that challenge by building American-made battery cells and systems in North Dakota, strengthening domestic supply chains and supporting the future of U.S.-made drone innovation.