PowerLight's Laser System Powers Drone for Hours in Pentagon Test

PowerLight Technologies, a Kent, Wash.-based firm, has achieved a significant breakthrough in drone endurance, successfully demonstrating a laser power beaming system that kept a military-grade, fixed-wing drone airborne for hours. These groundbreaking flight tests, concluded this month at the Poinsett Electronic Combat Range at Shaw Air Force Base, South Carolina, mark a pivotal step towards enabling indefinite flight for unmanned aerial systems, promising to revolutionize military reconnaissance and surveillance capabilities.

The demonstrations involved a KHA K1000ULE drone, a model operating under a recently awarded $270 million deployment contract from the AFCENT Battle Lab. PowerLight’s system, developed under the Power Transmitted Over Laser to Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (PTROL-UAS) program, showcased end-to-end functionality of a kilowatt-class wireless power system.

During the tests, the system autonomously acquired and precisely tracked the drone at altitudes up to 5,000 feet. It continuously delivered power by steering and focusing an infrared laser beam in real time, while managing crucial safety protocols. This marked the first demonstration of such a wireless system capable of sustained, autonomous energy delivery at operationally relevant ranges and power levels for a large, fixed-wing military drone.

Revolutionizing Drone Endurance

This achievement directly addresses a significant limitation of current drone operations. Typically, military drones are constrained by their onboard fuel or battery life, necessitating frequent landings for refueling or recharging. PowerLight's technology offers the theoretical potential for these aircraft to remain airborne indefinitely, vastly expanding their utility for prolonged missions such as persistent surveillance or communications relays.

The company, formerly known as LaserMotive, has been a pioneer in this field for over 15 years, initially developing power-beaming systems capable of keeping smaller quadcopters continuously airborne. This latest success scales that earlier work to a much larger, more critical military platform.

Strategic Implications and Dual-Use Potential

The strategic implications of this technology for military operations are profound. The tests were sponsored by U.S. Central Command and the Pentagon’s Operational Energy – Innovation Directorate, underscoring the Department of Defense's interest in transformative energy solutions. Tim Jenks, CEO of PowerLight, highlighted the system's scalability and future roadmap.

“The Poinsett Range demos prove what we built, and set the stage for the roadmap for this capability that scales from a single transmitter to a distributed network, increasing power output, altitude and range, sustaining multiple aircraft simultaneously across a theater,” Jenks said in a news release.

Jenks also emphasized a critical dual-use potential, noting that the same core technology used for power delivery could be adapted for defensive purposes. He stated, “The same autonomous targeting, precision beam control and real-time system intelligence that keeps a friendly platform aloft has direct applicability to directed-energy counter-UAS strategies.” This suggests the system could serve as an effective tool for neutralizing enemy drones, adding a layer of defensive capability.

Funding and Broader Applications

The development of PowerLight’s system received significant support from the Department of Defense. The company was awarded up to $5 million from the Operational Energy Prototyping Fund and an additional $2 million from the Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund. PowerLight itself contributed an almost equal amount of funding to bring the PTROL-UAS program to fruition, demonstrating substantial commitment to the technology's advancement.

Beyond military applications, PowerLight has explored diverse uses for its laser power beaming technology. Previous projects include systems designed to transmit power to 5G base stations, underwater robotic vehicles, and even lunar rovers, showcasing the versatility and broad potential of wireless energy transfer. This latest achievement reinforces the company's position at the forefront of power beaming innovation, setting the stage for future advancements across various sectors.

FAQ

Q: How does PowerLight's laser power beaming system work? A: The system uses an infrared laser beam to wirelessly transmit power to a drone in flight. It features autonomous target acquisition, precision tracking, real-time beam steering and focusing, and integrated safety management to ensure continuous power delivery while the drone is airborne.

Q: What are the primary benefits of this technology for military drones? A: The main benefit is the potential for indefinite flight endurance, eliminating the need for drones to land for refueling or recharging. This allows for significantly extended reconnaissance, surveillance, and operational missions, enhancing persistent presence and reducing logistical burdens.

Q: Could this laser technology be used for purposes other than powering drones? A: Yes, PowerLight's CEO Tim Jenks noted that the precision targeting and beam control technology could be adapted for directed-energy counter-UAS strategies, meaning it could potentially be used to neutralize enemy drones. The company has also explored applications for powering 5G base stations, underwater robotic vehicles, and lunar rovers.