NRL demonstrates dual-use laser system for power beaming and counter-UAS operations
Naval Research Laboratory
image:
U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) partners and observers gather for a group photo while testing a dual-use in power beaming and aerial defense systems. NRL continues to work with Boeing and the U.S. Army to test the capability of a dual-use laser system. (U.S. Navy photo by Jonathan Steffen-Arnold)
view moreCredit: Jonathan Steffen-Arnold
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) scientists successfully demonstrated a dual-use laser system capable of wirelessly transmitting power over long distances and rapidly transitioning to perform defensive missions, advancing expeditionary energy and defense capabilities for future warfighters.
Sponsored by the Office of the Under Secretary of War for Acquisition & Sustainment (OUSW (A&S)) and supported by the Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund (OECIF), the demonstration showed how a fielded laser system could provide remote power delivery while maintaining its original mission as a directed-energy defense capability. The demonstration was conducted in partnership with Boeing and the DEVCOM Ground Vehicle Systems Center (GVSC) and with collaboration across Navy, Marine Corps and Army stakeholders.
Using a trailer-mounted laser positioned across an airfield, researchers transmitted power from a standard military vehicle to specialized receivers at a remote location. The same laser system then transitioned without delay to address a simulated aerial threat, proving its ability to perform both missions without interrupting operations.
“This was not just a laboratory exercise we were building the pieces for what this capability could actually look like on the battlefield,” said NRL Electrical Engineer Alex Grede, Ph.D. “We demonstrated that the same laser used to beam power remotely can immediately transition to counter a drone threat, giving Marines and soldiers greater flexibility without changing their operational footprint.”
Unlike previous record-setting power beaming demonstrations conducted in highly controlled desert conditions, this test focused on realistic field environments and adverse atmospheric conditions, helping identify technical improvements required for operational use.
The team continued testing through severe weather, including snowfall approaching whiteout conditions, until visibility nearly disappeared, all while collecting critical data for future system refinement.
“We wanted to prove this could work where warfighters actually operate, not just in ideal conditions,” said NRL Research Physicist Justin Lorentzen. “Testing in wind, snow and real atmospheric interference gives us the data we need to improve the system and move it toward a true operational capability.”
The demonstration also highlighted the importance of joint-service collaboration. While NRL continues developing the technology for naval applications, U.S. Army operational requirements helped shape the field test, particularly for expeditionary power scenarios where replacing fuel-dependent generators could improve logistics and survivability.
“The service most likely to field this kind of capability first may be the Army, and that’s exactly why this collaboration matters,” Grede said. “We can take the expertise we’ve built at NRL and help accelerate capability development across the joint force. That’s good for the services and good for the country.”
The laser system used in the demonstration was already fielded by the U.S. Marine Corps for directed-energy applications. By pairing that proven capability with high-efficiency solar receivers and mobile vehicle power generation, the team demonstrated a practical pathway toward distributed, resilient energy delivery for forward operations.
The test also validated rapid field maintenance and ease of operation. During the event, researchers quickly repaired a key system component in the field, demonstrating system resilience and maintainability in operational conditions.
“You can’t have a system that takes months to repair or months to train someone to use,” said NRL Radar Division Military Deputy Lt. Cmdr. Brian Di Salvo. “This system showed both repairability and simplicity of operation, qualities that matter when you’re talking about real deployment with young operators in the field.”
Researchers say the next phase includes additional demonstrations with Marines, Soldiers and Sailors gathering direct user feedback and tailoring the system for operational needs.
“Our next goal is putting this capability in front of warfighters and letting them tell us how they would use it,” Grede said. “That feedback is what will help shape the next generation of power beaming systems.”
The work supports NRL’s ongoing efforts to develop scalable directed-energy technologies that improve expeditionary logistics, strengthen battlefield resilience and expand the operational reach of U.S. forces.
About the Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund (OECIF)
The Operational Energy Capability Improvement Fund (OECIF) is DoW’s premier, joint operational energy investment program. OECIF is pre-commercialization. Through highly targeted science and technology investments, it guides and matures advanced, first-of-a-kind operational energy technologies across warfighting platforms and domains.
More information can be found at https://www.acq.osd.mil/eie/ero/inn/oecif-oepf.html
About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
NRL is a scientific and engineering command dedicated to research that drives innovative advances for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to space and in the information domain. NRL is located in Washington, D.C. with major field sites in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi; Key West, Florida; Monterey, California.
NRL offers several mechanisms for collaborating with the broader scientific community, within and outside of the Federal government. These include Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), LP-CRADAs, Educational Partnership Agreements, agreements under the authority of 10 USC 4892, licensing agreements, FAR contracts, and other applicable agreements.
For more information, contact NRL Corporate Communications at NRLPAO@us.navy.mil.
Method of Research
Experimental study
U.S. Naval Research Lab advances continuous biomanufacturing for on-demand production of critical materials
Naval Research Laboratory
image:
Matthew Yates, Ph.D., U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) research scientist, poses for a photo in the mobile biomanufacturing system in Washington, D.C., June 23, 2026. Scientists at NRL use the mobile system to develop, prototype, and test technologies for the manufacturing of Department of War-critical materials when and where they are needed. (U.S. Navy photo by Sarah Peterson)
view moreCredit: Sarah Peterson
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) scientists are developing continuous biomanufacturing technologies designed to produce critical materials more efficiently, sustainably, and closer to where they are needed, strengthening supply chain resilience and expanding future operational capabilities.
The research focuses on replacing traditional batch-based biomanufacturing methods with continuous production systems that use surface-bound microbial cells to generate valuable compounds over extended periods. The effort supports Department of War priorities in biotechnology and biomanufacturing while exploring new ways to manufacture essential materials with smaller, more adaptable systems.
“Traditional biomanufacturing often relies on large fermentation tanks that operate in batches,” said Matthew Yates, Ph.D. a research scientist in NRL’s Center for Biomolecular Science and Engineering. “Our goal is to develop systems that continuously produce molecules for weeks or months at a time while reducing energy requirements, equipment size, and operational complexity.”
Conventional biomanufacturing frequently depends on large-scale reactors that require substantial infrastructure, energy, and downtime between production runs. NRL researchers are pursuing an alternative approach that uses biofilm-based reactors, where microorganisms attach to specially designed surfaces and continuously produce target compounds as nutrients flow through the system. This design increases cell density while reducing reactor volume and energy consumption.
Technology is being developed to produce a range of materials important to both military and commercial applications. Researchers have demonstrated production pathways for lubricant precursors, munition components, active pharmaceutical ingredients, bioplastics, and single-cell proteins, all products that will support future needs of the warfighter.
“A key feature of these programs is the use of additive manufacturing to rapidly design and fabricate bioreactors. By leveraging 3D printing, we can quickly prototype, test, and modify reactor designs to optimize performance for different microorganisms and products.” Yates said.
The approach also enables future field deployment scenarios where replacement reactor components could be manufactured on-site rather than shipped from centralized facilities.
“Additive manufacturing gives us tremendous flexibility,” Yates said. “If mission requirements change, we can rapidly reconfigure reactor designs and produce new components when and where they’re needed.”
Researchers have also observed promising secondary benefits from the 3D-printed reactor systems. Early testing suggests some target molecules naturally accumulate within the reactor matrix, potentially simplifying downstream processing by combining production, separation, and concentration into a single step. If validated, this capability could further reduce manufacturing costs and improve system efficiency.
In parallel, NRL scientists are investigating marine microorganisms capable of operating in seawater and utilizing alternative feedstocks. The ability to grow production organisms without relying on freshwater resources could expand operational flexibility while reducing logistical burdens associated with traditional manufacturing processes.
The laboratory has already demonstrated a mobile, containerized biomanufacturing system that fits within a standard shipping container. Researchers envision integrating continuous production technologies into future versions of these deployable systems, enabling the manufacture of critical materials at the point of need.
“Ultimately, we want to create a platform that can produce a variety of products wherever they’re needed,” Yates said. “Whether supporting domestic manufacturing or future expeditionary operations, continuous biomanufacturing offers a pathway toward more resilient and adaptable production capabilities.”
These efforts are collaborative research initiatives involving NRL, the Air Force Research Laboratory, and the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Chemical Biological Center. Together, the organizations are evaluating multiple production strains and products to determine how continuous biomanufacturing platforms can be optimized across a broad range of applications.
As the research progresses, NRL scientists intend to further demonstrate the scalability, versatility, and operational value of continuous biomanufacturing systems, helping lay the foundation for future domestic and point-of-need manufacturing capabilities.
About the U.S. Naval Research Laboratory
NRL is a scientific and engineering command dedicated to research that drives innovative advances for the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps from the seafloor to space and in the information domain. NRL is located in Washington, D.C. with major field sites in Stennis Space Center, Mississippi; Key West, Florida; Monterey, California.
NRL offers several mechanisms for collaborating with the broader scientific community, within and outside of the Federal government. These include Cooperative Research and Development Agreements (CRADAs), LP-CRADAs, Educational Partnership Agreements, agreements under the authority of 10 USC 4892, licensing agreements, FAR contracts, and other applicable agreements.
For more information, contact NRL Corporate Communications at NRLPAO@us.navy.mil.
No comments:
Post a Comment