DARPA POWER: more than 800 W delivered across 8.6 km
DARPA reported a power-beaming distance record after delivering more than 800 W of optical power for 30 seconds across 8.6 km and more than one megajoule during the campaign.
- Team / system
- DARPA POWER programme · U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
- Link geometry
- 8.6 km horizontal free-space path
- Platform
- Ground laser power-beaming demonstration
- Year / programme
- 2025
01 · SYSTEM
How it was achieved
A high-power laser was directed across a long atmospheric path to a compact receiver. The receiver aperture redirected the beam onto multiple photovoltaic cells, converting incident optical energy into electricity while tracking and safety systems controlled the beam.
02 · EVIDENCE
Evidence snapshot
- 01
More than 800 W delivered for 30 seconds.
- 02
8.6 km horizontal free-space path.
- 03
More than 1 MJ delivered over the test campaign.
- 04
DARPA explicitly described the distance and power result as record-setting.
03 · SIGNIFICANCE
Why it matters
Optical power beaming could support remote platforms, temporary infrastructure and future energy-relay concepts where cables or fuel logistics are impractical.
05 · REFERENCES
Sources & references
The values in this file are traced to the sources below. Record language follows the wording supported by the primary evidence.
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