PowerLight Technologies Receives Investment for In-Flight Drone Recharging System
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- InterestingEngineering.com
PowerLight Technologies, based in the U.S., has secured an expanded investment from the Department of War to enhance its Aerial ReCharge (ARC) system. This funding, part of the Operational Energy – Innovation (OE-I) Directorate, supports the ongoing development of ARC under the PTROL-UAS program, with a demonstration planned for April 2026 at Shaw Air Force Base.
The significance of this advancement lies in addressing the power limitations faced by drones in modern warfare, which are increasingly utilized for various missions, including Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR). The ARC system's ability to recharge drones in-flight using laser power beaming could greatly extend their operational capabilities, reducing downtime and enhancing mission endurance in contested environments.
Looking ahead, the integration of the ARC receiver into the Kraus Hamdani Aerospace K1000ULE drone marks a critical step in its development. The U.S. Air Forces Central (AFCENT) has approved this drone platform for use, indicating a potential shift in how military operations may leverage drone technology in the future. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Original report
US wants drones to be recharged while still in-flight, backs PowerLight’s ARC
InterestingEngineering.com · Abhishek BhardwajThis briefing is an independently written summary based on publicly available reporting and is provided for industry information and news discovery. The original report and source publication are credited and linked where applicable. RobotToday does not claim ownership of third-party source material.
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