apid55 VTOL

LaserMotive has unveiled the world’s first tethered vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) unmanned aircraft system (UAS), InvisiTower, which is powered by laser over optical fibre.

The system is capable of powering any multi-rotor helicopter indefinitely using laser power sent through fibre optic cable, allowing the helicopter to fly as long as power is available on the ground.

In addition, the new compact and portable system, which is small enough to fit in the back of an SUV, does not need a pilot to fly; however, it requires someone to monitor the video coming from it.

LaserMotive president and CEO Tom Nugent said that the InvisiTower system allows unlimited flight even in small systems because fibre-optics are much lighter than copper wires.

"It is safer because the fibre cable is nonconductive, it won’t conduct lightning or short out power lines, and no high-voltages are needed," Nugent said. "The laser energy is completely contained, and interlocked in case the cable is damaged, so there are no laser safety issues."

"It is safer because the fibre cable is nonconductive, it won’t conduct lightning or short out power lines, and no high-voltages are needed."

InvisiTower can be used to support a wide range of applications in the military and civilian markets including ISR and situational awareness, communications relay, news and sports reporters, first responders, and industrial facility security.

The system is based on LaserMotive’s Power over Fibre system developed earlier this year, which can deliver power to aircraft over long distances safely in the presence of high-voltages, RF fields and electromagnetic pulses, as well as strong magnetic fields.

The first public flight of an aircraft powered by the new system will be demonstrated at the SPIE Defense, Security & Sensing (DS&S) event, which is currently being held, running from 29 April to 3 May at the Baltimore Convention Center, US.

At the event, LaserMotive will demonstrate InvisiTower’s capability to power a small quadrocopter.

Headquartered in Kent, Washington, US, LaserMotive is a privately-held R&D company specialising in laser power beaming for commercial applications.

Image: LaserMotive’s InvisiTower is capable of powering any multi-rotor helicopter such as Apid-55 vertical takeoff and landing unmanned aerial vehicle system. Photo: file image.

Defence Technology