The silent spy drone that could stay in the sky forever

Laser used to beam power to drone

Recharging system kept craft in air for 48 hours



A silent spy drone has been kept in the air for 48 hours using a radical new laser power system.



Military scientists from Lockheed Martin were able to wirelessly beam power to the drone to increase its flight time by 2,400 per cent.



They say the system could eventually keep military spy drones in the sky forever.



The Stalker Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) flight time to more than 48 hours. This increase in flight duration represents an improvement of 2,400 percent.



Lockheed Martin's stalker drone in flight

The small, silent UAS is already used by Special Operations Forces since 2006 to perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.



'We’re pleased with the results of this test. Laser power holds real promise in extending the capabilities of Stalker,' said Tom Koonce, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works Stalker program manager.



'A ground-to-air recharging system like this allows us to provide practically unlimited flight endurance to extend and expand the mission profiles that the Stalker vehicle can fulfill.'

The Stalker UAS was modified for the indoor flight test to incorporate the power beaming technology from LaserMotive.

It makes it possible to wirelessly transfer energy over long distances using laser light.

At the conclusion of the flight test, held in a wind tunnel, the battery on the Stalker UAS had more energy stored than it did at the beginning of the test.

The test was concluded only because the flight had already surpassed the initial endurance goals set by the team.



'This test is one of the final steps in bringing laser-powered flight to the field,' said Tom Nugent, president of LaserMotive.



'By enabling in-flight recharging, this system will ultimately extend capabilities, improve endurance and enable new missions for electric aircraft.

