Powering Planes with Microwaves Is Not the Craziest Idea

In a futuristic scenario, airplanes could potentially be powered by electromagnetic waves beamed from the ground, eliminating the need for onboard fuel. This concept involves massive ground antennas sending out electromagnetic radiation to power aircraft engines mid-flight. Engineers would likely use microwaves for this purpose due to their ability to pass through clouds and be absorbed efficiently by plane receivers. The technology would require precise steering of microwave beams using phased arrays to focus power on the aircraft. While theoretically possible, practical challenges include scaling up power levels to meet the demands of commercial aviation and designing efficient rectennas on planes to convert microwaves into usable energy. Despite advancements in semiconductor technology enabling more precise energy transfer over longer distances, significant hurdles remain in terms of power density, aerodynamics, and safety concerns for both passengers and wildlife exposed to the intense microwave beams.