PowerLight Applied sciences, a pacesetter in secure wi-fi energy switch, immediately introduced the profitable growth and subsystem testing of its end-to-end laser energy beaming system for Unmanned Aerial Methods (UAS). Developed as a part of the Energy TRansmitted Over Laser to UAS (PTROL-UAS) program—a strategic initiative sponsored partially by United States Central Command (CENTCOM) —this method combines a brand new autonomous high-power transmitter with a light-weight, onboard receiver to cost UAS in flight.
This announcement marks a pivotal level in this system, transitioning from element growth to built-in system testing. Pairing a transmitter able to precision monitoring with an airframe-mounted receiver, PowerLight is making a “wi-fi energy line” by way of the air, delivering kilowatt-class energy over kilometres.
The Transmitter: Precision Monitoring and Energy Supply
The core of the system is PowerLight’s autonomous high-power transmitter. Designed for cell and forward-deployed operations, it integrates superior beam management software program with {hardware} able to sustaining kilowatt-level laser output.
Key capabilities of the transmitter verified throughout testing embody:
– Energetic Goal Monitoring: Utilises excessive precision optical monitoring to lock onto cooperative targets for secure energy switch.
– Lengthy-Vary Energy Beaming: Engineered to transmit to altitudes as much as 5,000 toes.
– Security Interlocks: A multi-layer security structure, managed through autonomous and operator-in-the-loop strategies, ensures secure operation in mixed-use airspace.
– Built-in Management Software program: Supplies real-time management, monitoring, and analytics, integrating with UAS management platforms and floor energy infrastructure.
“That is rather more than point-to-point energy switch utilizing a laser; we’re constructing an clever mesh vitality community functionality,” mentioned Tom Nugent, CTO and Co-Founding father of PowerLight. “Our transmitter communicates with the UAS, tracks its velocity and vector, and delivers vitality precisely the place it’s wanted. We’ve got now efficiently examined the facility transmission and monitoring algorithms, validating the core structure wanted for our upcoming flight demonstrations.”
The Receiver: Light-weight and Clever
Finishing the hyperlink is PowerLight’s new light-weight receiver. Weighing roughly six kilos, the receiver makes use of laser energy converters to seize the non-visible laser vitality and convert it to electrical energy to cost the onboard batteries. An embedded management module collects real-time telemetry and communicates again to the bottom station and creates a bi-directional optical information hyperlink for future embedded communication capabilities.
Strategic Impression
A key goal of PTROL-UAS is establishing energy beaming as a necessary functionality for delivering operational vitality within the air, reworking how autonomous techniques are deployed. PowerLight is partnering with Kraus Hamdani Aerospace to combine the know-how into their K1000ULE, an ultra-long endurance UAS supporting US Navy and Military missions.
“The K1000ULE was engineered to ship endurance as soon as thought-about unattainable. Integrating PowerLight’s laser energy beaming provides a brand new stage of persistence, reshaping the operational actuality of theatre-wide missions. A platform that doesn’t have to land to refuel or recharge is one which by no means blinks,” mentioned Fatema Hamdani, CEO and Co-Founding father of Kraus Hamdani Aerospace.
Upcoming Milestones
With the transmitter and receiver subsystems now getting into the ultimate levels of validation, PowerLight is making ready for absolutely built-in flight testing in early 2026. These exams will display “infinite flight” functionality, with the transmitter wirelessly charging an in-flight K1000ULE built-in with a PowerLight laser energy beaming receiver.
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