Researchers Develop Drone That Recharges Other UAVs in Midair
A hybrid unmanned aerial vehicle developed in Krasnoyarsk is designed to serve as an airborne charging station capable of recharging other drones during flight.
The system combines several technologies that allow it to remain airborne for extended periods while transferring electrical power to other UAVs without landing.
The aircraft features a Y-shaped frame with three electric motors. Two provide vertical lift, while the third is mounted on a pivoting mechanism that can change the direction of thrust. During gliding flight, this motor switches into generator mode: airflow spins the propeller, and the electricity produced is fed back into the onboard batteries.
Additional lift is provided by a toroidal helium-filled envelope, which significantly reduces the load on the propulsion system. The developers also propose mounting flexible solar panels on the outer surface of the envelope to recharge the batteries throughout the flight. According to the research team, the center of the aircraft houses an inductive coil that enables wireless power transfer to another drone. This effectively turns the aircraft into a mobile charging platform for other UAVs.
As a result, a single aircraft can perform multiple roles simultaneously, serving as a communications relay, a surveillance platform, and an airborne charging station.
