PowerLight Technologies partners with CENTCOM on wireless power beaming for UAS

PowerLight Technologies, a prominent entity in wireless power transfer solutions, has been selected by the United States Central Command (CENTCOM) to advance a pioneering project aimed at delivering wireless power beaming technology to Group-2 Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). This collaboration is set within the framework of the Power Transmitted Over Laser to UAS (PTROL-UAS) initiative, scheduled for a demonstration flight in the autumn of 2025.

This innovative programme aims to address the challenges faced by UAS operating at high altitudes, particularly the need for continuous power supply without the interruption of landing for recharging. By enabling UAS to recharge whilst aloft—up to 5,000 feet—the initiative seeks to enhance operational endurance, thereby enabling these autonomous systems to conduct critical surveillance and communications missions more efficiently.

Eric Follstad, Science Advisor and Requirements & Technology Chief at USCENTCOM, stated, “US Central Command desires to employ energy on the battlefield in new and disruptive ways.” He highlighted that the ongoing PTROL-UAS programme is aimed at developing this capability for rigorous field testing and evaluation, supporting a transition into operational settings to meet current and future requirements.

The funding for the PTROL-UAS project is diversified, encompassing contributions from various military branches as well as private investors. Notably, PowerLight has recently received an award of up to $5 million from the Department of Defence’s Operational Energy Prototyping Fund (OEPF) and an additional $2 million from the Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund (OECIF). This financial backing underscores a commitment to maturing and productising wireless power beaming systems for multidomain applications.

In collaboration with Kraus Hamdani Aerospace, which supplies ultra-long endurance UAS, PowerLight will illustrate the capability of its integrated wireless power beaming system during the upcoming flight demonstration. This partnership is emblematic of the ongoing trend towards utilising advanced technologies in military operations, ensuring that UAS can operate autonomously with lower risks to personnel and missions, especially in challenging logistics environments.

Richard Gustafson, President and CEO of PowerLight, articulated the advantages of this technology by stating, “Dynamically delivering wireless power to UAS aloft significantly increases their range, extends operational endurance, and reduces risks to mission and personnel.” He elaborated on the vision of the DOD to foster a distinctive advantage through wireless power beaming—ultimately aiming to diminish reliance on fossil fuels and facilitate greater scale in autonomous operations. Moreover, the anticipated advancement in communication and reconnaissance capabilities signifies the program’s potential to impact not just military endeavors but also commercial applications.

PowerLight, headquartered in Kent, Washington, has solidified its reputation in the field with a robust intellectual property portfolio and has successfully developed safety systems for power transfer technologies that have gained approvals from multiple regulatory bodies. As the initiative progresses, it is expected to pave the way for largescale commercial applications of this cutting-edge technology.

Source: Noah Wire Services