A breakthrough in wireless power could soon mean military drones never have to land to refuel. A US-based firm, PowerLight Technologies, announced it has successfully tested a laser system that recharges unmanned aerial systems (UAS) while they fly up to 5,000 feet in the air.

This development, funded by the U.S. Department of Defense, is more than a technical achievement; it signals a potential turning point for security operations in regions like East Africa, where the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) are heavily reliant on drone surveillance in the fight against terror groups like Al-Shabaab.

The technology works by transmitting a high-power laser from a ground station to a lightweight receiver, weighing about 2.7 kilograms, installed on the drone. This receiver converts the laser's light into electricity, charging the drone's batteries. "This is much more than point-to-point power transfer using a laser; we are building an intelligent mesh energy network capability," explained PowerLight CTO Tom Nugent.

Implications for Kenya's Security

For the KDF, particularly troops serving in the African Union Transition Mission in Somalia (AUSSOM), persistent surveillance is critical. Kenyan soldiers already use drones to monitor movements and detect threats around their bases. However, the need to land for recharging creates operational gaps. This new laser-beaming technology could eliminate that vulnerability entirely.

An unmanned aircraft that can stay airborne indefinitely offers significant advantages:

• Unblinking Surveillance: Continuous monitoring of Kenya's porous border with Somalia, a known hotspot for Al-Shabaab activity.
• Enhanced Force Protection: KDF camps in Somalia could be watched over permanently, providing early warnings of attacks.
• Improved Operational Endurance: Drones like the recently acquired Bayraktar TB2, which has an endurance of up to 27 hours, could see their mission times extended exponentially.

The U.S. has a history of military cooperation with Kenya, including joint training exercises and supplying drone technology like the ScanEagle and Raven UAVs. This new power-beaming capability could become a future component of that security partnership.

Beyond the Battlefield

While the immediate application is military, the long-term potential for Kenya's economy is significant. The same technology could one day power commercial drones used in agriculture for crop spraying and monitoring—a sector the Kenyan government is keen to modernise with drone technology. It could also revolutionize logistics and healthcare delivery to remote areas, building on existing drone-based services in the region.

"A platform that doesn’t need to land to refuel or recharge is one that never blinks," noted Fatema Hamdani, CEO of PowerLight’s partner, Kraus Hamdani Aerospace. As this technology matures, it could offer Kenya a powerful tool for both national security and economic development.