UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                    FORM 8-K

     PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(D) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

                Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported):

                                December 17, 2003

                            ULTRALIFE BATTERIES, INC.
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             (Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

                                    Delaware
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         (State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)


          0-20852                                 16-1387013
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   (Commission File Number)          (I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)


                 2000 Technology Parkway, Newark, New York  14513
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               (Address of principal executive offices)   (Zip Code)


                                 (315) 332-7100
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              (Registrant's telephone number, including area code)


Item 7. Financial Statements, Pro Forma Financials and Exhibits. (a) Financial Statements of Business Acquired. Not applicable. (b) Pro Forma Financial Information. Not applicable. (c) Exhibits. 99.1 Press Release dated December 17, 2003. Item 9. Regulation FD Disclosure. The Company announced the election of Anthony J. Cavanna to its board of directors. Cavanna, 64, until recently was chief financial officer and is executive vice president and a director of Trex Company, Inc., the nation's largest manufacturer of alternative decking products. Ultralife's board of directors elected Cavanna during its December 11 meeting. Cavanna plans to retire from his executive position with Trex Company at the end of 2003 Refer to the attached Exhibit 99.1 for the entire text of the release, which Exhibit is being furnished but not filed in accordance with Regulation FD. SIGNATURE Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized. ULTRALIFE BATTERIES, INC. Dated: December 17, 2003 By: /s/Peter F. Comerford --------------------------------- Peter F. Comerford Vice President - Administration & General Counsel

Index to Exhibits (99) Additional Exhibits 99.1 Press Release dated December 17, 2003

                                                                  Exhibit 99.1

Ultralife Batteries, Inc. Elects Anthony J. Cavanna to Board of
Directors

    NEWARK, N.Y.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 17, 2003--Ultralife Batteries,
Inc., (NASDAQ:ULBI) announced the election of Anthony J. Cavanna to
its board of directors. Cavanna, 64, until recently was chief
financial officer and is executive vice president and a director of
Trex Company, Inc., the nation's largest manufacturer of alternative
decking products. Ultralife's board of directors elected Cavanna
during its December 11 meeting. Cavanna plans to retire from his
executive position with Trex Company at the end of 2003.
    Before forming Trex in 1996 by leading a management buyout from
Mobil Chemical Company, Cavanna spent 33 years in a variety of
positions with Mobil, including group vice president, vice
president-planning and finance, vice president of Mobil Chemical and
general manager of its Films Division Worldwide, president and general
manager of Mobil Plastics Europe and vice president-planning and
supply of the Films Division. Mr. Cavanna received a B.S. degree in
chemical engineering from Villanova University and a M.S. degree in
chemical engineering from the Polytechnic Institute of Brooklyn.
    John D. Kavazanjian, Ultralife's president and chief executive
officer, said: "We are extremely pleased, and fortunate, to have Tony
join our board. With his many years of technical, management and
financial experience at one of the largest worldwide petrochemical
companies, he brings a wealth of extensive knowledge that will further
enhance Ultralife's goal to create continued growth and value for our
shareholders."

    About Ultralife Batteries, Inc.

    Ultralife is a leading developer, manufacturer, and marketer of
standard and customized lithium primary (non-rechargeable), lithium
ion and lithium polymer rechargeable batteries. Ultralife's
high-energy batteries use advanced lithium technology and are used in
military, industrial and consumer portable electronic products.
Through its range of standard products and ability to customize for a
wide range of applications, Ultralife is able to provide the next
generation of battery solutions. OEM, retail and government customers
include Energizer, Kidde Safety, Philips Medical Systems, Radio Shack
and the national defense agencies of the United States and United
Kingdom, among others.
    Ultralife's headquarters, principal manufacturing and research
facilities are in Newark, New York, near Rochester. Ultralife (UK)
Ltd., a second manufacturing and research facility, is located in
Abingdon, U.K. Both facilities are ISO-9001 certified.

    This press release may contain forward-looking statements based on
current expectations that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.
The potential risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially include: worsening global economic conditions,
increased competitive environment and pricing pressures, disruptions
related to restructuring actions and delays. Further information on
these factors and other factors that could affect Ultralife's
financial results is included in Ultralife's Securities and Exchange
Commission (SEC) filings, including the latest Annual Report on Form
10-K.
    Detailed information on Ultralife is available at the Company's
web site, www.ultralifebatteries.com.
    Ultralife(R) is a registered trademark Ultralife Batteries, Inc.

    CONTACT: Ultralife Batteries, Inc.
             Peter Comerford, 315-332-7100
             pcomerford@ulbi.com
              or
             Investor Relations Contact:
             Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc.
             Jody Burfening, 212-838-3777
             jburfening@lhai.com
              or
             Media Contact:
             Lippert/Heilshorn & Associates, Inc.
             Chenoa Taitt, 212-201-6635
             ctaitt@lhai.com