Raytheon to Develop Network of High Power Laser "Energy Webs" for DARPA

Defense News - Raytheon has secured a $10 million contract from the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to develop a cutting-edge wireless airborne power-generating system tailored for contested environments. This funding is part of DARPAs Persistent Optical Wireless Energy Relay (POWER) program, which aims to revolutionize energy distribution platforms for military personnel through advanced beaming technologies.

Over the span of two years, Raytheon will conceptualize an airborne solution that generates intricate "webs" capable of collecting, transmitting, and redirecting optical beams. These laser webs are designed to transport energy from ground sources to high altitudes, facilitating long-range and precision power distribution for sensors, effectors, and unmanned systems.

Raytheon envisions that the resulting POWER energy solution will significantly reduce the reliance of warfighters on traditional fuel sources, corresponding delivery systems, and storage facilities. Colin Whelan, President of Raytheon Advanced Technology, emphasized the critical role of energy in the modern battlespace, stating that the technology aims to enable the military to generate, store, and distribute power efficiently, especially in contested environments where energy availability may be limited.

Initiated in October 2022, DARPAs POWER program seeks proposals to modernize military energy solutions. Following the design and development phase, Raytheon will be responsible for demonstrating the system in flight. DARPA highlights that this wireless power transfer platform could provide military assets with "unlimited range and endurance," surpassing the capabilities of current energy solutions.

The wireless energy web, once completed, is expected to operate similarly to wireless communication physics, ensuring a continuous flow of energy that enhances decision-making timelines for soldiers on the battlefield. According to Colonel Paul Calhoun, the POWER Program Manager at DARPA Tactical Technology Office, the wireless energy web is envisioned to spark the next energy revolution, compressing transport timelines and resiliently providing distributed energy across various military domains, including air, land, sea, undersea, and space.