Lockheed Flies Laser-Powered Drone in Wind, Heat; Tom Koonce Comments

Lockheed Martin is working on a laser-powered drone special operations forces have used since 2006 for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.

The company said Stalker recently flew a 48-hour demonstration during a wind tunnel test and underwent its first-ever outdoor flight.

“This series of proof-of-concept tests took place in a remote desert location where environmental factors like wind and heat were constants,” said Program Manager Tom Koonce.

Koonce added the test occurred during both day and night.

For this test flight, Lockheed used photovoltaic receiver and on-board power management hardware, developed by LaserMotive for NASA’s Centennial Challenge in 2009.

According to Lockheed, Stalker recorded net positive power at ranges of up to 616 yard.

Procerus Technologies, a Lockheed subsidiary, has developed a drone intended to conduct surveillance in crowded, urban areas.

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