A new experiment in China showed drones could one day be recharged mid-air using microwave energy transmitted from the ground.
During the trial, a car-mounted emitter successfully beamed energy to an antenna array installed beneath a fixed-wing drone, transferring power without physical connections.
The system enabled the unmanned aircraft to remain airborne for up to 3.1 hours at an altitude of 15 meters (49 feet).
The experiment is aimed at expanding the operational reach of ground forces by enabling longer-duration surveillance, strike missions, and electronic warfare from the air.
Beyond extended endurance, the tech could also reduce onboard battery requirements, freeing up space for larger payloads.
Despite the promising results, microwave charging systems still face major limitations, with the current setup achieving only 3 to 5 percent efficiency and losing most of the transmitted energy.
“This is more about exploring future possibilities than solving immediate operational needs,” said a Chinese military analyst, as quoted by the South China Morning Post.
“The concept is promising, but the efficiency and reliability are still far from what would be required for deployment.”
Other Major Hurdles
In addition to efficiency limits, researchers also faced challenges in maintaining precise alignment between the emitter and the drone.
To address this, the team integrated GPS data, dynamic tracking, and onboard control systems to keep the energy beam accurately focused during flight.
The approach reportedly helped maintain stable power transfer even as both platforms moved and environmental conditions shifted.
The results were published in the peer-reviewed journal Aeronautical Science & Technology by a team from Xidian University.
