At the core of PRAD is an innovative receiver with a compact aperture that captures incoming laser light with minimal loss. Once inside, the beam hits a parabolic mirror and is directed onto an array of photovoltaic cells, efficiently converting the laser energy back into usable electrical power, reports PV Magazine.
This demonstration marks a critical milestone for enabling rapid, on-demand energy delivery in military environments. The PRAD technology is scalable and designed for integration into various platforms, including UAVs, potentially eliminating the need for traditional fuel logistics in the field.
“It’s a lot easier to send a power beam directly up or down relative to the ground because there is so much less atmosphere to fight through. For PRAD, we wanted to test under the maximum impact of atmospheric effects,” Jaffe said.