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Innovation explores the potential of lightning as an energy source and marks a pioneering advance in the use of drones for atmospheric capture
Japan has just achieved a world first: attracting and controlling lightning using drones. For the first time in the world, a system has been developed to guide natural electrical discharges using flying devices.
The experiment, carried out by Japanese companies such as Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT), was considered a success and could open path for unprecedented applications in public safety and energy generation.
How lightning induction works with drones
The system uses drones equipped with technology capable of inducing lightning. Engineers designed a cage that is resistant to electrical impact, allowing the drones to remain functional even after being struck directly.
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The technique is based on manipulating fluctuations in the electric field, something that occurs naturally in storm clouds.
These drones not only withstand the impact, but can also guide lightning safely. The metal structure of the cage serves to divert the electrical current from the equipment's internal components, ensuring flight stability even after the impact.
Objectives beyond technological innovation
According to NTT, the purpose of the technology goes beyond innovation. The goal is to help prevent damage caused by lightning in urban areas and critical structures.
Japan records annual losses of between US$702 million and US$1,4 billion due to these natural events. Even with traditional protection systems in place, such as lightning rods, the risk remains high, especially in hard-to-reach places.
NTT's communications facilities, for example, are considered vital infrastructure. Protecting these facilities from lightning strikes is one of the company's priorities, and it is now investing in drone technology to achieve this goal.
Successful test in Shimane
The first successful experiment was conducted between December 2024 and January 2025 in the mountainous city of Hamada in Shimane Prefecture. The test was conducted in collaboration with Fujitsu and was based on natural storm conditions.
During the experiment, a drone climbed to an altitude of 300 meters on December 13, 2024. The action was coordinated with the measurement of the electric field using a ground-based field mill.
The moment the field reached a high level, a grounding switch was activated. This caused a sudden change in the electric field and, as a result, lightning was generated and attracted to the drone.
This was the first documented case in the world where a drone was responsible for initiating a lightning strike. The cage structure, combined with the controlled manipulation of the electric field, allowed the drone to remain operational even after a direct impact.
Technical innovations revealed in the experiment
Two important advances were demonstrated in the tests. The first was the induction of lightning itself, achieved by intentionally altering the electric field by activating the grounding. The second was the resistance of the protective cage, which was able to withstand artificial lightning strikes with an intensity of up to 150 amperes. For comparison, this value is about five times greater than the average for a natural lightning strike.
The cage's protective coverage was estimated at 98%. This structure can redirect magnetic fields and electrical charges, preventing the drone's core from being damaged. Even with the impact, the equipment maintained a stable flight without critical failures.
In addition to demonstrating resistance, the engineers managed to time the grounding connection to generate lightning in a controlled manner, opening up space for new forms of action in urban and industrial areas.
Future applications and power generation
The next steps involve the practical use of drones in metropolitan areas. NTT intends to use these devices to predict areas at higher risk of lightning, induce them safely and guide them in a controlled manner. The goal is to create an aerial defense network against atmospheric discharges.
Another goal is to explore the possibility of storing the energy from induced lightning. Although the capture and conversion process is still in its early stages, there is interest in transforming this energy into a usable source in the future.
The technology can also contribute to the advancement of research into lightning formation, a phenomenon that still presents many scientific gaps. The expectation is that the data collected will help clarify the processes involved in discharges and improve forecasting systems.
Conclusion: A new frontier in climate security
The Japanese project represents a milestone in the attempt to understand and control one of the most powerful natural phenomena on Earth. With drones capable of inducing and withstanding lightning, the country paves the way for more effective solutions in protecting cities, critical infrastructure and even energy use.
If testing continues, it is possible that in the future storms will no longer be just a risk but also a technological opportunity. Japan has already taken the first step.
