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One of the main limits on unmanned aircraft operations is endurance. Even the most efficient drones eventually have to land or return to base to refuel or recharge, breaking coverage and restricting how long sensors can remain on station. For missions that require continuous presence—such as wide-area surveillance or communications relay—this constraint drives the need for complex logistics or multiple aircraft rotating through the same airspace.
A new laser-based power transmission system aims to remove that limitation by delivering energy directly to aircraft while they are flying. Developed under a U.S. military–backed program, the system uses a high-power ground-based laser to transmit electricity through the air to a receiver mounted on an aircraft. Recent testing confirmed that the system can safely and accurately deliver power to airborne platforms operating at altitudes of up to 1,524 meters.
According to Interesting Engineering, at the core of the setup is an autonomous laser transmitter designed for mobile and forward-deployed use. The transmitter combines beam-control software with hardware capable of sustaining continuous, high-energy output. During tests, it demonstrated the ability to precisely track a friendly aerial target and maintain a stable power beam as the aircraft moved. Control software monitored the process in real-time and interfaced with existing drone control systems and ground power infrastructure.
Persistent unmanned aircraft are central to modern operations, particularly in regions where basing options are limited or contested. A system that can recharge drones in mid-air could support long-duration intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions without relying on runways, tankers, or frequent landings. The work is being conducted under the PTROL-UAS program, sponsored in part by U.S. Central Command, reflecting interest in extending drone endurance in operational environments.
On the aircraft side, the system uses a compact receiver weighing around 2.7 kgs. The receiver captures non-visible laser energy and converts it into electrical power, which is used to recharge the aircraft’s onboard batteries. An embedded control module collects telemetry and sends it back to the ground station, while also supporting future optical data links between air and ground.
The technology is now being integrated onto the K1000ULE, an ultra-long-endurance unmanned aircraft intended for U.S. Navy and Army missions where sustained presence is critical and access to traditional refueling infrastructure is limited. With component and subsystem testing largely complete, the next step is fully integrated flight testing, planned for early 2026. Those demonstrations are expected to show continuous in-flight charging—bringing the concept of effectively unlimited endurance closer to practical use.
