Lockheed Martin [LMT] and LaserMotive, Inc., completed a series of flight tests of the Stalker unmanned aerial system (UAS), marking the first-ever outdoor flight of a laser-powered UAS, Lockheed Martin said yesterday in a statement.
Stalker is a small, silent UAS used by U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) since 2006 to perform intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Stalker demonstrated 48 hours of continuous flight powered by this innovative laser system in a recent wind tunnel test.
Stalker was fitted with a lightweight photovoltaic receiver and on-board power management hardware for the outdoor demonstration. The ground-based laser transmitter was based on LaserMotive’s hardware developed for its winning entry in the 2009 NASA Centennial Challenge.
Accomplishments of these proof-of-concept flights include:
· Demonstrated net positive power to Stalker in flight, at ranges up to 600 meters.
· Proved that the laser did not damage Stalker and that the addition of the laser receiver did not impact its normal fight operations or aerodynamics.
· Operated multiple test flights in a range of desert conditions (day and night, high temperatures and strong winds), which demonstrated the ruggedness of the Stalker-mounted laser receiver power system.
· The beam director tracked the receiver for long periods, with centimeter accuracy at 500 meters, despite turbulence and aircraft maneuvers.
· Met all operational and safety requirements, including coordination with the Laser Clearinghouse and flight operations.
LaserMotive is a Kent, Wash.-headquartered, privately-held research and development company specializing in wireless power via laser for commercial applications.