Rheinmetall has signed a deal with Canadian company Quaze Technologies to integrate wireless charging solutions into its Drone Swarm Tactical OverWatch (DSTOW) capability.
The agreement, which will transition the DSTOW program from its concept stage to its product development phase, serves as the framework for Quaze’s incorporation of the Surface Power Technology, a wide-surface wireless technology that will automate drone operations.
The firms expect the DSTOW to enhance the operational effectiveness of military forces worldwide, offering a new system for persistent and autonomous surveillance and target acquisition.
“Developing the capability to access energy, agnostic of vehicle or platform, and removing the requirement to return to the pilot to recharge, means the potential autonomous applications in defence are vast–and DSTOW is leading the way,” Quaze CEO Xavier Bidaut said.
DSTOW’s Mission Efficiency
DSTOW is mounted on a Mission Master CXT Uncrewed Ground System, a compact unmanned ground vehicle that can support the infantry in difficult terrain and hostile weather conditions.
A video demonstration released by Rheinmetall in 2023 shows the module’s cable-free setup charging three aerial drones at the same time.
The company highlights that DSTOW’s ability to rapidly supply power will help with autonomous drone rotations and relays, overcoming the need to halt operations due to battery issues.
