China Tests Microwave Charging System for Drones in Flight
Scientists in China have unveiled a prototype system capable of charging drones mid-air using microwave energy, a development that could pave the way for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) with near-unlimited flight time.
The research, led by Professor Song Liwei at Xidian University, demonstrated a car-mounted platform that beams power to a drone while both are in motion. In tests, the system kept a fixed-wing UAV airborne for just over three hours at an altitude of 15 metres.
The technology works by transmitting microwave energy from a ground-based emitter to an antenna array mounted beneath the drone. However, researchers acknowledged significant challenges, including maintaining precise alignment between the transmitter and the aircraft, as well as low efficiency, only 3–5% of the energy reached the drone.
Despite these limitations, the concept highlights growing global interest in wireless power transmission for aviation. Similar efforts are underway in the United States, where the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has experimented with laser-based energy transfer systems.
Experts say such innovations could eventually enable drones to remain airborne for extended periods, with potential applications in surveillance, communications, and defence. However, further improvements in efficiency and stability will be needed before the technology becomes commercially viable.
