40m
40 m drone demonstration
Power delivery to a drone over a 40 m link, with 20 W electrical output and a 15 g optical receiver.
Laser power beaming
Keep your drone on task.
Laser power delivered in flight. Demonstrated over 40 m to a drone and 1.5 km to a fixed receiver.
Prototype systems for integration and pilot evaluation.
Measured in separate test configurations
Demonstrated capabilities
1.5km
Roof-to-roof demonstration
A 1.5 km roof-to-roof link with a stationary receiver, studied across varied weather conditions.
Programs and support
The operational problem
Battery changes interrupt missions.
In a single-aircraft operation, landing to replace a battery interrupts aerial coverage. Overlapping flights can maintain coverage, but require additional aircraft and coordination.
Coverage gaps
The aircraft leaves its position while the mission continues without its aerial view.
Repeated handovers
Operators manage landing cycles, replacement batteries and relaunch alongside the mission.
How it works
How laser power beaming works
A controlled ground-to-air link connects the transmitter, tracking system and onboard receiver. Integration and operating conditions are evaluated for each mission.
Electrical source
On the ground
Ground transmitter
Tracking and beam control
Optical power channel
Line of sight
Onboard receiver
Power to the aircraft electrical load
Transmit
The ground unit converts electrical input into directed optical power.
Track
Ground-based tracking keeps the optical link aligned with the airborne receiver.
Convert
The onboard receiver converts incoming light into usable electrical power.
Application concepts
Where longer operation matters
01
Security & defence
Aerial observation for perimeter and asset protection.
02
Industrial & energy
Inspection and monitoring around industrial assets and infrastructure.
03
Remote sensors
Power delivery to fixed equipment where cabling or battery service is difficult.
See the application concepts
In-flight power, remote operations and mobile coverage, brought together in one short visualisation.
Visualisations of optical power delivery to a drone in flight, remote equipment and a drone supporting a moving convoy. Music only; no spoken dialogue. A text description of each scene is available in the Applications page's scene descriptions.
Choosing an energy approach
How does it compare with tethers, charging pads and battery swaps?
Tethered drones
External power through a physical cable.
Compare cable constraints with the aircraft movement your mission requires.
Charging pads
Recharging on the ground.
Check whether landing cycles fit the required coverage.
Battery swaps
Power restored through a battery change.
Check staffing, logistics and any handover between aircraft.
Laser power beaming
Energy delivered to a compatible receiver without a physical cable.
Evaluate line of sight, operating geometry, receiver integration and site-specific safety requirements.
Future applications
From terrestrial systems to space applications
Our longer-term research explores power delivery between spacecraft and to lunar assets beyond sunlight. The next questions are optical capture, pointing, thermal management and system mass.
- Inter-satellite power
- Lunar surface operations
- Longer-horizon energy networks
Collaboration
Discuss an integration or partnership
Tell us about your platform, operating site and the task you need to keep running. Technical details are useful when available, but are not required to start the conversation.
Architecture review
Define the aircraft interface, power needs and operating geometry.
Bench integration
Review receiver mounting, electrical interfaces and control states.
Controlled site validation
Agree operating conditions, interlocks and the measurements required.