Wireless Power Transfer Demonstrated By Laser Weapon

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The US military has been a leading funder of solar cell research since the early 2000’s, branching out into the related areas of microgrids, distributed energy resources, transportable power systems, and other key elements of the electrification movement. In the latest development in that area, the Naval Research Laboratory is supporting an inter-service collaboration aimed at deploying an existing laser weapon for wireless power transfer over long distances.

The Laser Beam Journey

Those of you familiar with the household microwave oven, disposable menstrual pads, and GPS may recognize the connection. These are among the everyday products and systems that slipped into the civilian market alongside military deployment, either directly through the work of Department of Defense scientists and engineers, or by virtue of the purchasing power of the US military.

Beating swords into plowshares is a whole ‘nother can of worms (see Nuclear: Fukushima), but the US Naval Research Laboratory has spotted an opportunity to dual-purpose laser weaponry for wireless power transfer, a capability that could help fill gaps and alleviate bottlenecks in civilian energy systems.

The power transfer path has been a long one. The invention of the first operable laser is credited to Theodore Maiman, who demonstrated his system at the Hughes Research Laboratory in California, in 1960.

Since then, laser technology has branched into medical and research applications, as well as weapons systems. HRL Laboratories was later acquired by GM and Boeing. In a new development just last week, IBM formally agreed to purchase HRL, so we’ll see what happens next.

With HRL in the background, it’s also no surprise to see Boeing front and center in the field of laser weaponry. In particular, back in 2007 the US Army issued a $7 million contract to Boeing, which tasked the firm to develop a “truck-mounted laser weapon system that destroys rockets, artillery shells and mortar rounds.”

The contract was issued under the Army’s HEL TD (High Energy Laser Technology Demonstrator) program. “The objective of the HEL TD program is to demonstrate that a mobile, solid-state laser weapon system can effectively counter rocket, artillery and mortar projectiles. The program will support the transition to a full-fledged Army acquisition program,” Boeing explains.

“We believe this is the next step for developing a weapon system that can change the face of the battlefield,” added Boeing Missile Defense System VP Pat Shanahan.

The Changing Face of the Battlefield

By 2024 Boeing already had its transportable CLWS (Compact Laser Weapon System) in action, with next steps including the demonstration of its use in fending off drone attacks. “In a first, Boeing’s Compact Laser Weapon System (CLWS) engaged and defeated Group 3 uncrewed aerial systems (UASs) — a category of larger drones weighing up to 1,320 pounds (about 600 kilograms) and capable of carrying heavier, advanced payloads — with a 5-kilowatt laser at the Red Sands Integrated Experimentation Center in Saudi Arabia,” Boeing reported in October of 2024.

“Two Boeing field engineers integrated the system with the Army’s Forward Area Air Defense (FAAD) Command and Control (C2) network to receive cues from a radar system within minutes before carrying out the demonstrations alongside representatives from U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command (DEVCOM) and U.S. Army Central Command,” the company added.

If you’re wondering why the demonstration took place in Saudi Arabia, that’s a good question. The event was part of an annual, collaborative anti-drone exercise between the US Central Command and the Saudi Arabian military, aimed at testing industry-developed technologies in real-life environments.

Wireless Energy Transfer, With Lasers

No word yet on precisely which laser system was deployed by the Naval Research Lab in the new dual-use test, though the lab narrowed the field by name-checking Boeing in a press release last month. The independent laser newsletter Laser Wars also cites Boeing’s CLWS in the demonstration, which consisted of a trailer-mounted laser seamlessly switching back and forth from wireless power transfer to kill mode.

“U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) scientists successfully demonstrated a dual-use laser system capable of wirelessly transmitting power over long distances and rapidly transitioning to perform defensive missions, advancing expeditionary energy and defense capabilities for future warfighters,” NRL summarized on June 17, adding that the demonstration “showed how a fielded laser system could provide remote power delivery while maintaining its original mission as a directed-energy defense capability.”

Of note, the test took place in real life, extreme weather conditions including a blizzard in near white-out conditions. NRL also notes that preparations for the demonstration were collaborative.

“The demonstration also highlighted the importance of joint-service collaboration. While NRL continues developing the technology for naval applications, U.S. Army operational requirements helped shape the field test, particularly for expeditionary power scenarios where replacing fuel-dependent generators could improve logistics and survivability,” NRL added.

Laser Beams Are Coming For Your Fossil Fuels

If you didn’t catch that thing about “replacing fuel-dependent generators,” NRL wants to make sure you get it on the rebound.

“By pairing that proven capability with high-efficiency solar receivers and mobile vehicle power generation, the team demonstrated a practical pathway toward distributed, resilient energy delivery for forward operations,” NRL elaborates.

“The work supports NRL’s ongoing efforts to develop scalable directed-energy technologies that improve expeditionary logistics, strengthen battlefield resilience and expand the operational reach of U.S. forces.” they add again for good measure.

If this all rings a bell, it should. Since the early 2000’s, US military energy planners have been scrambling over solar technology (wind, not so much) to improve energy security at permanent bases, and to provide a reliable, secure source of scavenge-able energy for remote operations, while relieving itself from the high expense — and casualties — associated with fossil fuel convoys.

Next Steps For The Wireless Energy Transfer System Of The Future

We have questions! Namely, if the point of the dual-use laser exercise is to replace diesel generators, where does NRL expect to get the energy to run such a system?

The proximate answer, of course, is electricity, or the solar precursor to electricity. “A laser is created when electrons in the atoms in optical materials like glass, crystal, or gas absorb the energy from an electrical current or a light,” explains Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory.

“A laser takes advantage of the quantum properties of atoms that absorb and radiate particles of light called photons. When electrons in atoms return to their normal orbit—or ‘ground’ state—either spontaneously or when ‘stimulated’ with a light or other energy source, even another laser in some cases, they emit more photons.”

As for where the electricity comes from, that’s were  energy storage systems come into play. That opens up the potential for deploying solar arrays, wind turbines, or other renewables at the power supply source.

For the record, Boeing is not the only firm engaged in the laser-based wireless power transfer field. Keep an eye on Lockheed Martin, which is among the stakeholders working on laser systems that power aircraft in flight.

Photo: A transportable, compact laser weapon can serve a dual purpose for wireless power transfer, potentially opening up new opportunities for renewable energy to power remote operations (cropped, courtesy of Boeing).