University Communication and Marketing, August 14, 2026
NIMBUS Lab selected for Air Force-funded drone research
The University of Nebraska–Lincoln’s NIMBUS Lab has been selected by AFWERX for a Small Business Technology Transfer Phase I contract to explore wireless power technology that could allow drones to remain deployed longer for communications and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions.
The project pairs the NIMBUS Lab, led by Brittany Duncan, Ross McCollum Associate Professor of computing, with Reach Power, a California-based company developing wireless power-beaming technology. Researchers will investigate how wireless power could enable small unmanned aircraft to remain in position for extended periods without the need for battery swaps or frequent recovery.
“Persistent autonomy requires persistent power,” said Chris Davlantes, founder and CEO of Reach Power. “This STTR gives Reach and the University of Nebraska–Lincoln an opportunity to explore how wireless power can enable small unmanned systems to remain in position longer, support communications and ISR missions, and reduce the operational burden of battery swaps and recovery cycles.”
The project will focus on “perched” drones, which can remain in a fixed position rather than continuously flying. The researchers will evaluate how these systems could serve as persistent, reconfigurable platforms for communications and sensing.
The NIMBUS Lab will contribute expertise in autonomous systems, communications and field robotics.
“This project brings together Reach’s wireless power-beaming expertise with the University of Nebraska-Lincoln NIMBUS Lab research capabilities in autonomous systems, communications and field robotics,” Duncan said. “Together, we aim to evaluate how perched drones can serve as persistent, reconfigurable mission nodes for communications and sensing.”
AFWERX is the innovation arm of the Department of the Air Force and a division of the Air Force Research Laboratory. The agency uses the Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transfer programs to connect small businesses and research institutions with the Department of the Air Force to develop technologies addressing military needs.
The work builds on the NIMBUS Lab’s focus on aerial vehicles and field robotics and its research supporting applications in national security and other challenging environments.
