Dec 18, 2025 11:52 AM
Laser power beaming is a system that delivers kilowatt-class energy to UAS in flight, pairing a ground-based laser transmitter with a lightweight airborne receiver, and features layered safety interlocks.
Landing to recharge may soon be optional.
PowerLight Technologies has cleared a major hurdle in its push to keep military drones in the air, completing development and subsystem testing of its laser power beaming system for unmanned aircraft.
Developed under the Power TRansmitted Over Laser to UAS (PTROL-UAS) program — backed in part by US Central Command — the technology targets one of military drones’ biggest constraints: the need to land to recharge.
Read the full story on NextGen Defense: US Laser Power Beaming Hits Test Milestone for In-Flight Drone Recharging
autonomous systems•United States•technology•US military•autonomous aerial vehicle•Autonomous drone flight•autonomous drone•Autonomous Devices
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