Ground-based beam could keep British solar drone flying

BAE Systems' PHASA-35 has been selected as the flight demonstrator for a ground-based power-beaming technology under a £15.7 million ARIA-linked contract. A controlled energy beam would feed a receiver in the aircraft's wing, supplying electricity and charging its batteries through the night and during winter. The project aims to reduce the solar aircraft's dependence on daylight and enable continuous flights lasting up to several months. A lighter battery requirement could also free more of the platform's 15kg payload capacity for communications, surveillance or other sensors.