This article is based on an official press release from Kraus Hamdani Aerospace.

In April 2026, Kraus Hamdani Aerospace (KHA) and PowerLight Technologies successfully demonstrated in-flight wireless charging of a military-grade, fixed-wing drone using laser power beaming. Conducted at the Poinsett Electronic Combat Range at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, the test marks a critical step toward achieving indefinite flight capabilities for large UAV. According to the official press release, the demonstration successfully delivered sustained, autonomous power to the aircraft at operationally relevant altitudes.

The joint effort was sponsored by U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM) and the Pentagon’s Operational Energy, Innovation Directorate (OECIF). By eliminating the need for drones to return to base for refueling or battery recharging, this technology aims to provide uninterrupted Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) coverage for the U.S. military.

During the test, the ground-based system successfully acquired and tracked the KHA K1000ULE drone at altitudes up to 5,000 feet. Industry research reports indicate that the system steered and focused an infrared laser beam in real-time, delivering kilowatt-class power that kept the aircraft airborne for hours during the evaluation.

The Technology Behind the Demonstration

The K1000ULE Unmanned Aerial System

The aircraft utilized in the demonstration was the K1000ULE (Ultra Long Endurance), a fully electric, Group-2 fixed-wing UAS manufactured by Kraus Hamdani Aerospace. According to industry specifications, the drone features a 5-meter (16-foot) wingspan and weighs between 15 and 19.3 kilograms (33 to 42 pounds). The K1000ULE is uniquely designed to mimic a sailplane, utilizing onboard artificial intelligence to identify and ride thermal updrafts while using wing-mounted solar panels to recharge its lithium-ion batteries during daylight hours.

Even prior to the integration of laser power beaming, the K1000ULE possessed formidable endurance capabilities. Research data highlights that the platform previously set an industry record for a Group-2 UAS by achieving a continuous flight of nearly 76 hours. Furthermore, the platform’s operational viability was recently cemented by a sole-source $270 million Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract awarded by the U.S. Air Force Central Command (AFCENT) Battle Lab.

Laser Power Beaming Mechanics

The wireless charging capability is driven by PowerLight Technologies’ laser power beaming system. According to technical briefings, the architecture relies on an autonomous, ground-based high-power transmitter equipped with advanced beam-control software and high-precision optical tracking. This transmitter fires a non-visible, infrared laser beam at the moving aircraft.

To capture this energy, the K1000ULE is fitted with a specialized 6-pound (2.7-kilogram) receiver mounted on its airframe. This receiver utilizes laser power converters to transform the incoming optical energy into electricity, which is then fed directly into the drone’s onboard battery system. In addition to power transfer, the hardware establishes a bi-directional optical data link capable of supporting secure, real-time communications and telemetry.

Strategic Implications for Military Operations

Historically, the endurance of uncrewed aerial vehicles has been strictly limited by onboard fuel or battery capacity. This limitation creates operational gaps, forcing commanders to cycle multiple aircraft to maintain continuous coverage over a target area. The successful demonstration at Shaw Air Force Base suggests that wireless power beaming could theoretically allow drones to remain on-station indefinitely.

This capability is particularly valuable for forward-deployed units and infrastructure-limited environments, such as disaster zones or contested military airspace. By reducing the logistical footprint required for fuel transport and maintenance, military aircraft forces can operate more agilely.

“Integrating PowerLight’s power beaming capability extends that persistence further and reduces the need to land. That expands the K1000ULE’s ability to maintain continuous coverage…”

Company leadership has emphasized the strategic value of this persistence. In contextual remarks from preliminary testing in late 2025, KHA CEO Fatema Hamdani noted that a platform free from refueling requirements is “one that never blinks.” Similarly, PowerLight Technologies CTO Tom Nugent highlighted that the technology represents more than simple point-to-point transfer, envisioning the creation of an “intelligent mesh energy network capability.”

AirPro News analysis

We view the successful demonstration of the PTROL-UAS (Power TRansmitted Over Laser to Uncrewed Aircraft Systems) program as a pivotal shift in military aviation logistics. The Department of Defense’s financial backing, including up to $5 million from the Operational Energy Prototyping Fund and $2 million from the Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund, demonstrates a serious institutional commitment to decoupling ISR assets from traditional supply chains.

If PowerLight Technologies can successfully scale this technology from point-to-point charging into a dynamic “mesh energy network,” the implications extend far beyond Group-2 drones. The ability to dynamically route power to various aerial, terrestrial, or even space-based assets could fundamentally alter how the U.S. military plans long-duration missions, effectively turning energy into a wirelessly transmittable data packet.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

• What is wireless power beaming?
  Wireless power beaming is the transmission of electrical energy without wires. In this demonstration, it was achieved by firing a high-power, non-visible infrared laser from a ground transmitter to a specialized receiver on the drone, which converted the laser light back into electricity.
• How high can the drone be charged?
  During the April 2026 demonstration at Shaw Air Force Base, the system successfully tracked and delivered power to the K1000ULE drone at altitudes up to 5,000 feet.
• Who funded the development of this technology?
  The development was heavily supported by the U.S. Department of Defense through the PTROL-UAS program, with millions in funding provided by the Operational Energy Prototyping Fund and the Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund.

Sources

• Kraus Hamdani Aerospace Press Release (PRNewswire)

This article is based on an official press release from the Department of the Air Force.

The Department of the Air Force has unveiled a historic $338.8 billion budget proposal for Fiscal Year 2027, marking a massive $92.5 billion, or 38 percent, increase over the enacted FY2026 budget. Announced on April 21, 2026, the request signals a fundamental strategic shift in how the military funds its future.

According to the official release, the department is moving away from the traditional practice of trading off current readiness to fund future modernization. Instead, the FY2027 budget aggressively funds both as concurrent priorities. The comprehensive package, which now moves to Congress for consideration, splits the funding between the U.S. Air Force at $267.7 billion and the U.S. Space Force at $71.1 billion.

The proposal heavily invests in next-generation Military-Aircraft, autonomous drone wingmen, space control, and a significant expansion of personnel to maintain United States dominance in both the air and space domains.

Air Force Modernization and Procurement

The FY2027 budget signals a major push to supercharge the defense industrial base and accelerate the production of advanced combat capabilities across the Air Force’s $267.7 billion allocation.

Next-Generation Aircraft and Autonomous Systems

A significant portion of the funding is directed toward future air dominance. The budget injects an additional $3 billion to accelerate the development of the F-47 Next-Generation Fighter. Furthermore, the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program receives $2.7 billion, a $1.7 billion increase, to develop semi-autonomous drone wingmen. According to the department, these Drones are designed to act as force multipliers alongside manned fighters, providing “affordable mass” in high-intensity combat scenarios.

Traditional manned and strategic assets also see heavy investment. The official request dedicates $7 billion to continue the production of the B-21 Raider stealth bomber and requests $7.4 billion (a $1.1 billion increase) to procure 38 new F-35 Lightning II fighters. Additionally, $3.9 billion is earmarked to purchase 15 new KC-46A Pegasus aerial refueling tankers.

Munitions and Nuclear Deterrence

To expand the arsenal available to commanders, the Air Force has allocated $600 million specifically to develop a “family of affordable mass munitions.” The budget release also notes significant investments for upgrading the Sentinel ground-based nuclear deterrent system.

Massive Expansion for the Space Force

Reflecting the growing reality of space as a highly contested warfighting domain, the U.S. Space Force sees a 124 percent budget increase compared to the current fiscal year, bringing its total to $71.1 billion.

Securing the Space Domain

Space Control Systems receive a staggering $21.6 billion, representing a 158 percent increase from FY2026, aimed at securing national interests and controlling the space domain. Missile warning and tracking architectures are allocated $6.8 billion (a 70 percent increase), while satellite communications receive $6.7 billion to ensure secure and reliable communication links for forces globally.

The budget also requests an additional $2.9 billion over current funding to procure 22 National Security Space Launches. To safeguard these critical assets, $500 million is directed specifically toward cyber operations to defend U.S. satellites.

Personnel, Readiness, and Quality of Life

Responding to increasing global workloads, the department is making significant investments in the people who operate the force. The budget requests an additional $2.5 billion to grow the total force by 12,700 personnel, comprising 9,900 new Airmen and 2,800 new Guardians.

Compensation and Training are also prioritized in the proposal. The budget funds targeted pay increases across the force, utilizing a sliding scale that offers a 7 percent boost to the most junior enlisted personnel. Furthermore, $2 billion is earmarked for large-scale exercises across both branches to “stress test” capabilities, alongside significantly increased accounts for flying hours, spare parts, and maintenance.

“The Department of the Air Force’s Fiscal Year 2027 budget request moves beyond the trade-off between modernization and readiness. We are funding both as concurrent priorities to ensure the force is ready to fight tonight, tomorrow, next week, next year, and next decade.”

“Our 2027 budget request funds our priorities of readiness, modernization and taking care of our Airmen and their families. Looking at readiness, it significantly increases accounts for flying hours, spare parts, munitions, maintenance, and advanced training that reflects the realities of today’s battlefield and tomorrow’s fight.”

AirPro News analysis

We observe that this $338.8 billion request marks the definitive end of the “modernization versus readiness” era. For years, defense officials have warned that budget constraints forced them to choose between maintaining legacy aircraft for current missions and investing in future technology. This proposal is a clear statement that the Pentagon believes it can no longer afford to choose between the two in the face of pacing global threats.

Additionally, the massive $1.7 billion jump in funding for the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program highlights a permanent shift in aerial warfare doctrine. The Air Force is decisively moving toward distributed, semi-autonomous drone swarms to fight alongside human pilots. Meanwhile, the 158 percent increase in Space Control funding illustrates that space is no longer viewed merely as a supportive environment for GPS and communications; it is an active theater where the U.S. expects to contest and defend assets against adversarial anti-satellite capabilities.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the total FY2027 budget request for the Department of the Air Force?

The total proposed budget is $338.8 billion, which is a $92.5 billion increase over the enacted FY2026 budget.

How is the budget divided between the Air Force and Space Force?

The U.S. Air Force is allocated $267.7 billion, while the U.S. Space Force receives $71.1 billion.

Does the budget include funding for new personnel?

Yes, the budget requests an additional $2.5 billion to grow the total force by 12,700 personnel, which includes 9,900 new Airmen and 2,800 new Guardians.

Sources: Department of the Air Force

This article summarizes reporting by Türkiye Today.

A Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopter operated by the Turkish Army Aviation Command went down during a training mission near Ankara, with no casualties reported among the crew. The incident occurred in the Temelli district, according to an initial statement from the Ministry of National Defense.

The crash marks a rare incident for the country’s heavy-lift rotorcraft fleet. According to reporting by Türkiye Today, all personnel aboard the aircraft survived unharmed, and authorities have already initiated an investigation to determine the exact cause of the accident.

Details of the Training Flight Incident

The heavy-lift helicopter was conducting a routine training flight when it crashed in the Temelli area of the capital. While the Ministry of National Defense confirmed the event, they have not yet disclosed specific operational details, such as the exact number of crew members on board or the flight phase during which the emergency occurred.

Officials have secured the crash site and confirmed that everyone on board is safe. In a brief public release, the defense ministry confirmed the accident and noted that a formal inquiry is underway.

The aircraft went down “for reasons not yet known” and the exact cause will be established following a comprehensive investigation, according to the ministry’s statement cited by Türkiye Today.

Background on Türkiye’s Chinook Fleet

Within the Turkish military, these helicopters handle diverse assignments. Their primary duties involve moving troops into combat zones and transporting essential supplies like water, fuel, and heavy munitions. Beyond military applications, the rotorcraft frequently support humanitarian missions and civilian disaster relief, showcasing their operational flexibility.

Defense officials acquired the current inventory via the Presidency of Defense Industries (SSB) during two distinct buying phases. Initial contracts were signed in 2011, followed by a second batch in 2015, bringing the total number of procured airframes to 11. The military received its first units in 2016, and the final handovers wrapped up in 2019.

AirPro News analysis

We note that the CH-47F is widely recognized globally for its reliability and robust heavy-lift capabilities. An incident involving this platform without any resulting injuries highlights both the survivability of the aircraft design and potentially the skill of the flight crew during an emergency situation.

As the formal inquiry progresses, we expect aviation safety experts will likely focus on maintenance records, environmental factors, and mechanical telemetry to understand what led to the sudden loss of altitude. The findings will be crucial for maintaining the operational readiness of the remaining aircraft in the Turkish inventory.

Frequently Asked Questions

Where did the Turkish Army helicopter crash occur?

The CH-47F Chinook crashed in the Temelli district of Ankara during a training flight.

Were there any casualties in the Chinook crash?

No. The Ministry of National Defense confirmed that all crew and personnel on board were safe and uninjured.

How many CH-47F Chinooks does Türkiye operate?

Türkiye ordered a total of 11 CH-47F Chinook helicopters through two procurement rounds in 2011 and 2015, with deliveries completed in 2019.

Sources

• Türkiye Today