Lockheed Martin's Stalker UAS performs first laser-powered flight

Palmdale, CA--Lockheed Martin (LMT) and LaserMotive (Seattle, WA) have completed a series of laser-powered flight tests of the Stalker unmanned aerial system (UAS) to further validate the performance of an innovative laser power system. These tests mark the first-ever outdoor flight of a UAS powered by laser.

Stalker is a small, silent UAS used by U.S. Special Operations Forces since 2006 to perform intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions. In a recent wind-tunnel test, the UAS demonstrated 48 hours of continuous flight powered by this laser system.

For the demonstration, the Stalker was fitted with a lightweight photovoltaic receiver and onboard power-management hardware. 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:

--Net positive power to Stalker in flight at ranges up to 600 m.

--Proved that the laser did not damage the Stalker and that the addition of the laser receiver did not impact its normal flight operations or aerodynamics.

--Operated multiple test flights in a range of desert conditions (day and night, high temperatures, and strong winds), demonstrating the ruggedness of the Stalker-mounted laser-receiver power system.

--The beam director tracked the receiver for long periods, with centimeter accuracy at 500 m, despite turbulence and aircraft maneuvers.

--Met all operational and safety requirements, including coordination with the so-called "Laser Clearinghouse" and flight operations.

"This series of proof-of-concept tests took place in a remote desert location where environmental factors like wind and heat were constants," said Tom Koonce, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works Stalker program manager. "Not only did we demonstrate that the laser-powered Stalker could perform well in this type of environment, we flew during both day and night without incident. Ultimately we hope to provide our customers with remarkably long endurance to extend and expand the mission profiles possible for a small UAS like Stalker."