DARPA Sets World Record: 800 Watts Beamed Wirelessly Over 8.6 Kilometers

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 darpa.mil/news/2025/darp...

DARPA Sets World Record: 800 Watts Beamed Wirelessly Over 8.6 Kilometers

In an extraordinary achievement, the U.S. Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) has pushed the limits of wireless power transmission. Their Persistent Optical Wireless Energy Relay (POWER) program recently demonstrated the ability to beam over 800 watts of laser-generated energy across 8.6 kilometers (5.3 miles)—setting a brand-new world record.

This in-depth article will explore how DARPA achieved this milestone, what it means for future applications—from powering drones in flight to emergency relief—and the challenges still ahead. We'll also break down the high-tech methods, offer easy explanations, and answer the key questions.

🌐 What is Wireless Power Beaming?

Wireless power beaming sends energy through the air without cables. Two main technologies exist:

  1. Microwave beaming: Converts electricity into radio waves aimed at a rectenna (antenna + diode), which converts it back to electricity. These systems can exceed 95% efficiency but require very large antennas 

  2. Laser (optical) beaming: Converts electricity into a focused laser beam directed onto photovoltaic cells, which then convert it back into electricity (en.wikipedia.org).

DARPA opted for the laser method for its compact setup and potential military and aerospace applications.

🛠 The POWER Program & PRAD Demo:


DARPA’s POWER project aims to develop technology capable of instantly sending energy—even to remote or moving platforms like UAVs, field units, or satellites—eliminating reliance on fuel lines or batteries (darpa.mil).

The Phase 1 breakthrough, dubbed PRAD (POWER Receiver Array Demo), took place in New Mexico at the U.S. Army's White Sands Missile Range. Teams from DARPA, the U.S. Naval Research Lab, and High Energy Laser Systems Test Facility collaborated on the design (darpa.mil).

🔥 Record-Breaking Demonstration

During a 30-second test, DARPA beamed more than 800 W of laser power across 8.6 km—more than one megajoule of energy transferred in total (darpa.mil). Previously, the record was only 230 W at 1.7 km, making this test a monumental leap (darpa.mil).

PROGRAM MANAGER Paul Jaffe said:

“It is beyond a doubt that we absolutely obliterated all previously reported optical power beaming demonstrations for power and distance.” (darpa.mil)

🧩 How It Works – Inside the Receiver

  1. A ground-based laser transmitter sends a focused beam into a compact aperture in the receiver (darpa.mil).

  2. Inside, a parabolic mirror redirects the beam onto a ring of photovoltaic cells.

  3. The cells convert light to electricity—about 20% efficient at shorter ranges so far (convergedigest.com).

  4. The receiver’s small aperture prevents light escape, maximizing capture .

This compact design was completed in just three months (darpa.mil).

🎯 Significance of the 20% Efficiency

Though less efficient than wired transmission, 20% efficiency in laser beaming is impressive—especially given the still-early stage of development and atmospheric interference at ground level . DARPA is focused on proving concept and range, not maximum efficiency—yet the numbers are promising.

🍿 Yes, They Popped Popcorn

During the demo, some of the beamed power was used to pop popcorn, a fun reference to the classic movie Real Genius (1985), in which a laser filled a house with popcorn (convergedigest.com, theregister.com). It showed that this laser beam could perform real work, even homemade snack prep.

🚁 Military & Civilian Use Cases

Military Applications:

  • Instant refueling of drones and ground vehicles on the move

  • Mobile energy delivery to forward-deployed camps or disaster zones

  • Decreased reliance on vulnerable fuel supply chains 

Civilian & Aerospace Applications:

  • Possible space-based solar power: harvesting sunlight in orbit and beaming it to Earth (wired.com)

  • Remote emergency power during natural disasters or off-grid events

  • Potential energy support for satellites or high-altitude platforms

📶 Next Steps: POWER Phase 2

DARPA is now advancing to Phase 2, focusing on:

  • Airborne or space relays: enabling power transfer via drones or satellites 

  • Vertical transmission tests: beaming power up and down through thinner atmosphere.

  • Industry collaboration: drawing participation through an Industry Day on May 29, 2025 (convergedigest.com).

These steps aim to develop a full wireless energy web—a network of transmitters, relays, and receivers that can supply power anywhere at “speed of light.”

🌬 Atmospheric Challenges

Transmitting lasers near ground level introduces several difficulties:

  • Atmospheric scattering (dust, moisture) weakens and diffuses beams

  • Air turbulence distorts beam shape and alignment

  • Composite link budget demands precision on beam size and optics (darpa.mil, en.wikipedia.org)

Despite this, DARPA succeeded under the thickest atmospheric layer, making future high-altitude or space-based flights easier.

📈 Efficiency & Scaling Improvements

DARPA expects future systems to scale up and improve in a few ways:

  • Better photovoltaic cells, tuned to the laser wavelength, could boost efficiency 2–3×

  • Lighter materials, improved optics, optimized alignment, and active beam correction systems will further refine efficiency and range .

⚖️ Comparing Approaches: Lasers vs. Microwaves

Feature Laser Beaming Microwave Beaming
Beam size Narrow, highly focused Wider, needs huge dish and rectenna
Atmospheric loss Some loss due to scattering Better penetration, less weather impact
Efficiency potential ~20% now; improvable (en.wikipedia.org, darpa.mil)
Safety concerns High energy density over small area Broader exposure; but regulated

Lasers offer compact setups for precision delivery, while microwaves suit large-scale energy transfer systems.

🧭 Long-Term Vision: The Wireless Energy Web

DARPA’s ultimate goal is a resilient energy network:

  • Ground-based laser transmitters

  • Airborne relays on drones or balloons

  • Receivers on UAVs, satellites, remote bases

  • All working together to deliver fuel-free energy anywhere (darpa.mil)

This vision echoes NASA’s Space-Based Solar Power concept, which proposes orbiting solar farms that beam energy to Earth using lasers or microwaves (en.wikipedia.org).

🔮 Barriers & Opportunities

Current Challenges:

  • Efficiency lower than wire (~20%)

  • Atmospheric effects limit reliability

  • Safety and regulation concerns for high-energy beams

  • Needs network coordination and beam tracking

Opportunities:

  • Funding interest for defense, space, and energy sectors

  • Tech spillover into civilian, remote energy access

  • A pathway to truly mobile, persistent drones and outposts

🧾 Final Thoughts

DARPA’s recent milestone—delivering 800 watts wirelessly over 8.6 km—marks a transformative step in energy delivery. Far from a sci-fi dream, this technology could soon enable drones that never land, autonomous relief missions, and even satellites powered from space.

While efficiency, beam safety, and infrastructure remain hurdles, the POWER program’s roadmap—from ground tests to airborne relays—lays a clear path forward. Watch this space: the era without wires may soon be reality.

Key Takeaways:

  • DARPA beamed 800 W over 8.6 km using lasers—new distance and power record (darpa.mil, darpa.mil, itc.ua, darpa.mil).

  • Efficiency measured at ~20%, with plans to boost with better cells and optics (convergedigest.com).

  • Future phases include airborne relays and vertical transmission.

  • Potential applications range from military logistics to space solar power.

Wireless energy is stepping out of fantasy and into our future—one laser pulse at a time.


Open Your Mind !!!

Source: iflscience

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