{
  "id": 14501004,
  "title": "US DOW invests in wireless laser self-charging tech to keep autonomous drones airborne almost indefinitely — ARC can deliver 'kilowatt-class' power to units 5,000 ft away",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/14/us-dow-invests-in-wireless-laser-self-charging-tech-to-keep",
  "topic": "finance",
  "section": "Finance & Markets",
  "published": "2026-10-14T17:20:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechRadar",
    "slug": "techradar",
    "url": "https://www.techradar.com/pro/us-dow-invests-in-wireless-laser-self-charging-tech-to-keep-autonomous-drones-airborne-almost-indefinitely-arc-can-deliver-kilowatt-class-power-to-units-5-000-ft-away"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The United States Department of War's (DOW) Operational Energy - Innovation (OE-I) Directorate has recently contracted PowerLight Technologies to develop a revolutionary laser-based remote recharging system for drones, known as the Aerial ReCharge (ARC) system. This innovative technology, described as \"power beaming,\" utilizes directed lasers to recharge unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and their payloads from a distance of up to 5,000 feet.\n\nThe ARC system employs a power beaming transmitter that directs lasers to a drone-mounted receiver, which in turn charges the UAV's battery and can also power any payload the drone may be carrying. Unlike traditional wireless charging methods, power beaming enables UAVs to recharge while in motion, thereby significantly extending mission endurance and reducing the need for time-consuming landings and battery swaps.\n\nThis development takes place at Shaw Air Force Base in South Carolina, with the new technology designed to be compatible with various drone classes, including Group 2 fixed-wing platforms and larger aircraft with heavier sensor or effects payloads. PowerLight CEO Tim Jenks expressed optimism about the potential applications of power beaming technology, noting its versatility in domains ranging from ground-to-ground, ground-to-air, air-to-air, and space-to-space.",
  "summary": "The US military is investing in new “power beaming” from PowerLight, with the technology designed to remotely recharge power cells by laser to keep drones airborne.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}