DARPA has tapped Raytheon to design and develop a wireless, airborne relay system to "deliver energy into contested environments," as part of its Energy Web Dominance program, in which DARPA wants to be able to power anything from nearly anywhere.

I wonder if the system can double as an orbital weapons platform with global strike capability. They are talking about eventually scaling to megawatts of laser energy being fired into orbit then relayed back down to a target on the ground.

It's kinda weird seeing US military commanders pushing for tech to eliminate their reliance on fossil fuels. They are careful to avoid mentioning that this system is to replace the need for diesel generators at forward operating bases or jet fuel for drones. I guess that's because US political leadership has a different opinion on being dependent on fossil fuel.

  • gaycomputeruser [she/her]
    ·
    11 months ago

    I expect they don't have any real plans to move away from fossil fuels. The magnitude of electricity is just not there to fully replace fuels. They're probably looking at this as a way to recharge elctronics and other battery powered stuff. Iirc they've been having issues with expanding electronic capabilites on infrantry units due to the weight requirement of batteries.

    • WayeeCool [comrade/them]
      ·
      11 months ago

      Yup. Lots of new toys they have developed but can't make use of. The current proposals for new power systems for infantry seem mostly based around universally compatible lithium ion battery packs and photovoltaic cells to recharge them in the field but that creates the issue of not being able to recharge during poor weather or nighttime. Being able to put in a request to have your photovoltaic cells energized by an orbital laser would fix that reliability issue.

      There are also the winged and airship drones they developed that are supposed to stay above the battlefield indefinitely using solar panels. Being able to energize their photovoltaic panels during night or bad weather might make them more viable.

      Although they do seem serious about the plans to beam power to forward operating bases that currently need constant deliveries from vulnerable fuel trucks to refill their generators. Being able to eliminate the fuel powered generators and instead give them photovoltaic panels that can be energized rain or shine, day or night— would eliminate a supply line vulnerability. The proposed Abrams main battletank replacement is hybrid electric for the same reason, on top of silent mode it means less fuel trucks needed and the ability to not use any fuel when idling or making maneuvers of only a few miles.

      • gaycomputeruser [she/her]
        ·
        11 months ago

        I misunderstood the meaning of forward operating base. That sounds doable, if anybody could it's the us military.

        Being able to put in a request to have your photovoltaic cells energized by an orbital laser would fix that reliability issue.

        Hate to admit it but it'd be sick as fuck.