UAVs are an important part of modern warfare, they can perform a variety of tasks such as reconnaissance, strike, surveillance, etc., but their endurance is limited by battery capacity, and once they run out of power, they must return to the base to recharge, which greatly reduces their efficiency and effectiveness. To solve this problem, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is developing a wireless energy transfer technology that uses a laser beam to transfer energy from a ground or air platform to a drone, achieving the goal of charging the drone in the air.
Wireless energy transfer technology refers to the transmission of energy from one location to another by electromagnetic waves or other means without the need for a physical connection. There are many forms of wireless energy transmission technology, such as radio waves, microwaves, light waves, etc., among which laser is an efficient, accurate and controllable wireless energy transmission method, which can concentrate a large amount of energy in a small area without causing interference or damage to the surrounding environment.
Wireless energy transfer technology has many advantages for drones, such as:
Extend the flight time and distance of the drone, and improve the drone's mission completion ability and flexibility.
Reduce the weight and volume of the drone, as there is no need to carry a large-capacity battery, which improves the performance and maneuverability of the drone.
Reduce the maintenance cost and risk of the drone, as there is no need to replace or charge and discharge the battery frequently, thus extending the life and safety of the drone.
Increase the concealment and anti-jamming ability of the drone, as there is no need to rely on electromagnetic signals or satellite navigation, thus reducing the likelihood of the drone being detected or interfered with.
The goal of the U.S. military's wireless energy transfer technology project, called "Persistent Optical Wireless Energy Relay," is to design and demonstrate aerial optical energy relay platforms, which are key components that combine ground-emitted lasers with high-altitude, efficient, long-range transmission. In addition, these relay platforms can also realize the multi-path wireless energy network of the future, that is, the energy is distributed to multiple drones through multiple relay platforms to form a wireless energy "network".
The POWER project is a three-phase R&D process culminating in a convincing demonstration of the energy relay flight. The first stage is to conduct conceptual design and analysis, identify technical needs and challenges, and assess the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of the technology. The second stage is to conduct experimental verification on the ground and in the air, test and optimize the performance and efficiency of the energy relay platform, as well as solve technical difficulties and risks. The third stage is to conduct a flight demonstration to demonstrate the capabilities and effectiveness of the energy relay platform, as well as to evaluate the reliability and safety of the technology.
Wireless energy transmission technology can not only be applied to drones, but also to other fields, such as space exploration, disaster relief, telemedicine, smart cities, etc., to provide more convenience and possibilities for human beings. Wireless energy transfer technology is expected to become a new way of energy distribution and utilization in the future, contributing to the goals of sustainable development and clean energy.
However, wireless energy transfer technology also faces some challenges and obstacles, such as:
The complexity and cost of the technology requires high-precision control and regulation, as well as high-performance equipment and materials, which can lead to increased difficulty and expense in the development and deployment of the technology.
The security and legality of technology requires compliance with relevant laws and norms, as well as consideration of the potential harm and misuse of technology, such as harm to the human body or the environment, or attacks and interference with the enemy.
The social and ethical implications of technology need to take into account the effects and consequences of technology, such as dependence and impact on humans, or challenges to equality and justice in society.
To sum up, wireless energy transmission technology is a technology with great potential and value, but it also needs to overcome some difficulties and problems in order to achieve its wide application and development. The wireless energy "network" project developed by the US military is an important attempt and breakthrough in wireless energy transmission technology, which deserves our attention and expectation.