Overview
- The Naval Research Laboratory, which conducted the field demonstration Thursday, used a trailer-mounted Marine Corps directed-energy laser to beam power to distant high-efficiency receivers and then immediately retarget the same system at a simulated aerial threat without taking it offline.
- Researchers deliberately ran the test in realistic adverse weather including near-whiteout snow and validated rapid on-site repairs to demonstrate maintainability and to gather data on atmospheric effects that can weaken power transfer.
- The effort was sponsored by the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition & Sustainment and supported by the Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund, and was conducted with Boeing and Army DEVCOM GVSC input in a joint-service collaboration.
- NRL says the next phase will put the system directly before Marines, Soldiers and Sailors to gather operational feedback and refine requirements, but the lab provided no timeline for transition from demonstration to fielding.
- The work builds on prior power-beaming research such as DARPA’s POWER effort but stresses operational conditions; if technical, safety and airspace rules are resolved, the approach could cut fuel convoys, shrink generator needs and extend expeditionary reach.