– PowerLight Technologies, a leader in safe wireless power transfer, recently announced the successful development and subsystem testing of its end-to-end laser power beaming system for Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS).
Developed under the Power TRansmitted Over Laser to UAS (PTROL-UAS) program—sponsored in part by United States Central Command (CENTCOM)—the system pairs an autonomous high-power ground transmitter with a lightweight airborne receiver to enable in-flight charging of UAS.
This milestone marks the program’s transition from component development to integrated system validation. By combining precision optical tracking with an airframe-mounted receiver, PowerLight is creating a “wireless power line” capable of delivering kilowatt-class power over kilometer-scale distances.
Concept drawing of power beaming from ground-based transmitter to UAS-integrated receiver
Autonomous Transmitter System
At the core of the architecture is PowerLight’s mobile, forward-deployable transmitter, which integrates advanced beam-control software with high-power laser hardware. Subsystem testing verified several critical capabilities, including high-precision active target tracking for cooperative UAS, power transmission to altitudes up to 5,000 feet, and a multi-layer safety architecture supporting autonomous and operator-in-the-loop operation in mixed-use airspace. Integrated control software provides real-time monitoring, analytics, and interoperability with UAS control systems and ground power infrastructure.
“This is far more than point-to-point laser power transfer,” said Tom Nugent, CTO and Co-Founder of PowerLight. “Our system communicates with the UAS, tracks its vector in real time, and delivers energy precisely where it’s needed. These tests validate the core architecture required for upcoming flight demonstrations.”
Lightweight Receiver
The airborne receiver weighs approximately six pounds and uses laser power converters to transform non-visible laser energy into electricity for onboard battery charging. An embedded control module manages telemetry, supports a bi-directional optical data link, and enables future embedded communications.
Operational Impact and Next Steps
PTROL-UAS aims to establish power beaming as a foundational capability for persistent airborne operations. PowerLight is partnering with Kraus Hamdani Aerospace to integrate the system into the K1000ULE ultra-long-endurance UAS supporting U.S. Navy and Army missions.
With subsystem validation nearing completion, PowerLight is preparing for fully integrated flight testing in early 2026, demonstrating sustained, wirelessly powered flight of a K1000ULE equipped with the laser power beaming receiver.
Source: PowerLight Technologies