FARGO, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today announced that Packet Digital has been awarded nearly $10 million in combined Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 and FY2026 funding from the U.S. Navy to advance battery research, development, and manufacturing for unmanned systems. Hoeven worked through his role on the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee to secure these funds which enable ongoing work in unmanned systems power technologies. This funding builds on Hoeven’s work to advance the company’s prior selection for up to $50 million under the Department of Defense’s Accelerate the Procurement and Fielding of Innovative Technologies (APFIT) program to expand domestic manufacturing capacity in Fargo.
As a member of the Senate Defense Appropriations Committee, Hoeven is working to:
- Secure continued investment in Packet Digital’s battery development and domestic production work.
- Strengthen North Dakota’s role in defense through ongoing advanced battery manufacturing.
“Packet Digital is playing a key role in strengthening our Navy’s unmanned systems capabilities with advanced, domestically-produced battery technology,” said Hoeven. “We worked to secure continued funding under this contract because it keeps that work moving forward in North Dakota, supports good-paying manufacturing jobs and helps ensure a secure supply chain while reducing our reliance on materials from adversaries.”
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