Small drones often face one unavoidable limitation of battery power. That challenge now sits at the center of a new Air Force-backed research effort that could allow unmanned aircraft to remain deployed for much longer without returning for a recharge.
Reach Power and the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s NIMBUS Lab have secured a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Phase I contract through AFWERX to study wireless power for perched drones. The project will examine whether remotely delivered energy can keep drones operating as persistent communications and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) nodes during military missions. If successful, the approach could reduce battery swaps, extend operational endurance, and simplify logistics for deployed forces.
Keeping drones on station
Unlike conventional drones that must frequently land to recharge or replace batteries, perched drones are designed to remain fixed in one location while carrying out observation or communications tasks. Researchers now want to determine whether wireless power transmission can keep those systems active for significantly longer periods.
The project combines Reach Power’s wireless power-beaming technology with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s expertise in autonomous systems, robotics, and communications. Engineers will evaluate how the concept performs in scenarios where continuous connectivity and persistent sensing are essential…