DARPA’s Stand-off Ubiquitous Power/Energy Replenishment – Power Beaming Demo (SUPER PBD) program intends to demonstrate the feasibility of keeping an aircraft airborne for indefinite periods by charging the onboard batteries using a laser power source. To test the hypothesis, the research agency has selected the Silent Falcon UAS for the demonstration.
Flight Global says the range between the laser and UAV is around 10 km but could be extended in future. Testing is scheduled to start in early 2019.
DARPA selects unmanned aerial vehicle to be powered by a laser 10km away