Palm (drone recharging tower)

2024: Product Announcement

At the end of January 2024, the National Technological Initiative (NTI) announced that Russian specialists had developed a project for stationary landing towers "Ladon" for contactless charging of batteries of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The system is based on the principle of electromagnetic induction.

According to RIA Novosti, in order to replenish the energy reserve, the drone needs to hang over the Ladon for some time. It is claimed that five minutes of such charging provides 20 minutes or more of flight - depending on the technical characteristics of the drone. Such towers can be used to charge most types of drones, as well as to accommodate stationary electronic warfare (electronic warfare) equipment near border areas.

source = Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation

Mikhail Klimchuk, project manager, notes that as of early 2024, Russia lacks developed ground infrastructure for UAVs and drone refueling systems. Therefore, operators are forced to return them to the launch point for charging batteries, which significantly reduces the efficiency of the devices. In addition, for this reason, the development of unmanned airfield supply of food, medicines, mail and other cargo is restrained.

Among the customers of the charging towers are oil and gas companies: they will be able to use such stations to ensure constant monitoring of the integrity of oil and gas pipelines. In addition, the development may be in demand in the field of logistics, transport, agriculture, geodesy and in other areas where long flight missions are required.

Within the framework of the project, it is planned to develop specialized software that will be able to control the operation of the network of charging stations and be responsible for the distribution of resources for charging drones.^[1]

Notes