The United States Army has a rich history in the development of science and technology that dates back to the Watertown Arsenal which was established in 1816 on the northern bank of the Charles River in Massachusetts. Over the years following, the Army would operate research centers in conjunction with military bases and universities all over the country. In a memorandum from January 6, 1989, the U.S. Army finally recommended creating a single entity to incorporate all of these sites.

In October 1992, the U.S. Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Army Research Laboratory (DEVCOM ARL, or simply ARL), headquartered in Adelphi, Maryland, officially opened. In addition to the Adelphi location, the ARL operates three other primary laboratories and five regional laboratories. In the early 1900s, the U.S. Army began researching the development of unmanned aircraft for weaponization. Charles Kettering designed the Army’s first drone, sparking what would become one of the Army’s most researched technologies.

Today, the ARL invests millions each year into the research and development of drone technology. Recently, these drone projects have focused on ways to enable longer operational times for small reusable drones. Until the last decade, the Army mainly used large, long-endurance drones that utilized fuel along with a battery for power. While these drones still have an important place in the Army’s arsenal, finding cost-effective drones for day-to-day use has become more important than ever.

In October 2020, the ARL released a new concept they were developing in collaboration with the University of Illinois Chicago. The project would allow small drones to autonomously land when they need to charge and then launch themselves back into the sky to complete mission objectives. The researchers proposed using unmanned ground drones as portable charging docks. Dr. Mike Kweon, the program manager for the project, explained that the Army aims to empower these small drones in swarms. But to do that, soldiers would need to carry hundreds of spare batteries with them. “On the battlefield,” Dr. Kweon said, “we do not have the luxury to replace batteries for hundreds of UAVs and recharging them for hours.”

Instead, the team proposed using fuel-powered ground drones. The ground drones could be programmed to go to where a drone swarm would be needed. When ready, the aerial drones would land on the ground drone and connect magnetically. The ground drone would then wirelessly charge the aerial drone. Dr. Kweon went on to say, “With this research project, we’re operationalizing scientific endeavors to increase Soldier readiness on the battlefields of tomorrow.” Continuing this line of development, the ARL announced another drone charging project in September 2024.

The latest project was inspired by how jets are refueled while airborne. Aerial refueling requires a fighter jet to mechanically connect a fuel hose from the wing of a fuel tanker plane to the jet’s fuel tank, a process the U.S. Army has been using since the 1920s. Researchers from the ARL have now patented a system that will allow a drone to recharge its battery while still airborne. This new concept enables a drone to autonomously fly to a strategically placed tether when its battery is running low. The tether would be connected to a lead drone that can move and position as needed. The tether will provide continuous power to the lead drone. Along the tether will be adjustable docking points. The lead drone and tether, in this case, act as the aerial refueling tanker. Smaller drones will connect to the tether’s docking points. Like a fighter jet, the small drones will release a line to connect to the docking ports to recharge. When done, the drone will disconnect from the tether, wind up and stow its charging line, and continue with its mission.

With charging advancements like the ground drone charging docks and tether system, the Army’s small drones could potentially remain airborne indefinitely. By integrating autonomous charging systems and enhancing the capabilities of small drones, the Army is not only improving operational efficiency but also redefining the future of aerial warfare. The technology being developed by the ARL goes beyond military applications too. It reasons to stand, like much of today’s commercial drone industry, that the ideas brought forth through the ARL will influence civilian drone use as well.

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