This article is based on an official press release from PowerLight Technologies.

PowerLight Technologies and Kraus Hamdani Target “Infinite Flight” with Laser-Charged Drones

In a significant development for unmanned aerial systems (UAS), PowerLight Technologies announced on December 16, 2025, that it has successfully completed subsystem testing for a new laser power beaming system. Developed under the PTROL-UAS (Power TRansmitted Over Laser to UAS) program and sponsored by United States Central Command (CENTCOM), the technology is designed to wirelessly charge drones while they remain airborne.

According to the company’s announcement, the system is now transitioning from component development to full system integration. The next phase involves flight testing scheduled for early 2026, utilizing the Kraus Hamdani Aerospace K1000ULE (Ultra Long Endurance) drone as the primary test platform. The ultimate goal of the collaboration is to achieve “infinite flight” capabilities, effectively removing the endurance limitations imposed by traditional onboard battery capacity.

Wireless Power at Altitude

The core of the announcement centers on PowerLight’s proprietary power beaming technology, which functions as a “wireless power line” through the air. The system comprises two primary hardware elements, a ground-based transmitter and an airborne receiver.

The press release details that the ground transmitter is a mobile, autonomous unit capable of delivering kilowatt-class power over distances spanning kilometers. It utilizes active optical tracking to maintain a precise lock on the moving drone. To ensure safety in mixed-use airspace, the system features a multi-layer safety architecture that instantly shuts off the beam if the lock is lost or an obstruction is detected. The company states that the technology has been validated for transmission to altitudes up to 5,000 feet.

On the receiving end, the drone is equipped with a lightweight module weighing approximately six pounds. This receiver utilizes specialized laser power converters to transform the invisible laser light back into electricity, recharging the drone’s batteries during flight. Additionally, the system includes an embedded control module that handles real-time telemetry and a bi-directional optical data link.

“This is much more than point-to-point power transfer… We are building an intelligent mesh energy network capability. Our transmitter communicates with the UAS, tracks its velocity and vector, and delivers energy exactly where it’s needed.”

, Tom Nugent, CTO of PowerLight Technologies

The K1000ULE Integration

To demonstrate the system’s viability, PowerLight has partnered with Kraus Hamdani Aerospace. The K1000ULE is a fully autonomous, solar-electric UAS already utilized by the US Navy and Army for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. While the K1000ULE already boasts significant endurance, capable of flying for over 24 hours continuously on solar and battery power, the addition of laser charging aims to extend this indefinitely.

Fatema Hamdani, CEO of Kraus Hamdani Aerospace, emphasized the strategic advantage of this integration in the company statement:

“A platform that doesn’t need to land to refuel or recharge is one that never blinks. Integrating PowerLight’s laser power beaming adds a new level of persistence, reshaping the operational reality of theater-wide missions.”

Strategic Implications and Future Testing

The “battery problem” remains a primary logistical hurdle for electric military drones, which typically require frequent landings to swap batteries or recharge. This creates coverage gaps in surveillance and increases the logistical footprint required to support drone operations. By enabling mid-air recharging, the PTROL-UAS program aims to close these gaps, allowing for persistent “eyes in the sky” and continuous communication relays in contested environments.

AirPro News Analysis

While high-energy lasers in defense are frequently associated with counter-UAS (C-UAS) weapons designed to destroy targets, PowerLight’s application represents a distinct divergence in directed energy strategy. Rather than delivering destructive heat, these systems must deliver stable, continuous energy transfer without damaging the receiving airframe. If successful, this technology could fundamentally alter military logistics. By reducing the need for forward-deployed fuel and battery stockpiles, commanders could maintain persistent aerial coverage with a significantly smaller logistical tail. Furthermore, the concept aligns with broader defense initiatives like DARPA’s POWER program, which envisions a high-altitude “energy web” where aircraft beam power to one another, effectively turning drones into flying energy relays.

Next Steps

Following the successful subsystem testing reported in December 2025, the program is moving immediately into the integration phase. PowerLight Technologies has confirmed that fully integrated flight testing is slated to begin in early 2026. These tests will attempt to demonstrate the system’s ability to keep a K1000ULE airborne and charged solely via the ground-based laser transmitter, validating the concept of indefinite endurance.

Sources

• PowerLight Technologies Press Release