The U.S. Army has awarded Raytheon a contract to develop a directed energy wireless power system that can beam energy to where it’s needed on the battlefield. This is part of an effort to simplify military logistics by eliminating the need to move fuel and batteries around.
Soldiers today carry large amounts of heavy batteries, and vehicles need regular fuel resupply, which poses security risks for forward units. The new system aims to replace much of these supply lines with beams of high-energy coherent microwaves that are transmitted from a secure generator to forward positions.
This wireless power transmission technology was first developed at Raytheon in the 1950s. Past demonstrations have shown the ability to transmit 475W of microwave power across a distance of 1 mile with 54% efficiency.
The new Raytheon system is intended to make energy uniformly available across the battlefield, directly powering sensors and reducing the need for fuel depots. The microwave link can also provide a secure communications channel.
Key benefits cited include enhanced capability in contested environments, and the ability to select microwave frequencies that are safe for humans and animals that may be in the beam’s path.
Source: New Atlas
