In-flight drone recharging is moving closer to operational deployment, offering a glimpse into how autonomous systems could remain airborne for extended durations.
In a recent demonstration, Kraus Hamdani Aerospace (KHA) and PowerLight Technologies paired the K1000ULE long-endurance drone with a mobile autonomous power beaming system to enable mid-air power transfer.
During the flight, the laser-based system successfully transmitted nearly one kilowatt of power to the aerial system at altitudes reaching 5,000 feet (1,524 meters).
It also maintained a continuous laser energy connection despite changes in aircraft position and surrounding conditions during flight, according to KHA.
This enabled the platform to stay aloft and keep operating without requiring recovery or any ground-based support.
As a result, the K1000ULE sustained real-time intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) and ensured continuous communications throughout the test.
“Integrating PowerLight’s power beaming capability extends that persistence further and reduces the need to land,” KHA Co-founder Stefan Kraus said.
“That expands the K1000ULE’s ability to maintain continuous coverage in operational environments where interruption is not acceptable.”
Conducted at Shaw Air Force Base, the demo was hosted by the US Air Forces Central Command Battle Lab and sponsored by US Central Command and the Operational Energy Innovation Directorate.
Advancing Mid-Air Power Beaming
The K1000ULE is an ISR platform that can carry multiple payloads and transition from a boxed configuration to flight in 10 minutes.
Powered by solar energy, it is described as the longest-endurance unmanned aerial system in its size and weight class.
It can operate as a networked battlefield node, enabling real-time coordination and supporting faster, more resilient decision-making across distributed forces.
PowerLight’s system, meanwhile, combines a high-power laser transmitter with an onboard lightweight receiver, enabling in-flight energy transfer.
Designed for mobile and forward-deployed use, it uses advanced beam-control software and hardware to maintain kilowatt-level laser output during operation.
Key capabilities include precision optical tracking to maintain alignment between transmitter and drone throughout power transfer.
“Developing technologies such as this not only benefits the warfighter, but it enables new industries inside the defense industrial base and creates commercial opportunities,” said RuthAnne Darling, director of the Innovation Directorate at the Operational Energy Capabilities Improvement Fund, Department of Defense.
“We expect high-energy laser power beaming to continue to advance, and serve as a stepping stone to what will eventually become the Golden Dome.”
