POWER target: airborne optical energy relays
DARPA’s POWER programme targets an airborne relay network able to redirect optical energy across multiple paths, extending power delivery beyond a single line of sight.
- Team / system
- DARPA Persistent Optical Wireless Energy Relay
- Link geometry
- Airborne relay chain
- Platform
- High-altitude optical energy relay nodes
- Year / programme
- POWER programme
01 · SYSTEM
Target architecture
The programme concept uses airborne nodes as optical energy relays. Instead of converting all energy at each hop, the architecture is intended to redirect beams efficiently while network control selects resilient paths.
02 · EVIDENCE
Evidence snapshot
- 01
DARPA defines POWER as an optical wireless energy-relay programme.
- 02
The public goal is persistent, resilient, multi-path energy distribution.
- 03
The 2025 ground record is a stepping stone, not proof that the airborne network already exists.
03 · SIGNIFICANCE
Why it matters
An airborne power relay could decouple remote-system endurance from local fuel and battery limits, but it also raises major efficiency, weather, control and laser-safety challenges.
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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