NTT’s Lightning Drone Innovation

A Breakthrough in Lightning Control

Researchers at NTT have conducted a test using a drone to trigger and guide a lightning strike during natural storm conditions. The experiment is the first known case of using an unmanned aerial device for this purpose and contributes to ongoing research into lightning safety and control.

Lightning remains difficult to predict and manage. Strikes can damage buildings, power systems, and communication networks, and they can pose risks to public safety. Methods that help guide lightning may support improved protection strategies in storm-prone regions.

How the Lightning Drone Works

The system uses a specially designed drone equipped with sensors that monitor changes in the atmospheric electric field. When the electric field reaches conditions associated with an incoming strike, the drone can help initiate a discharge and guide its path toward a selected location.

A protective cage surrounds the drone to reduce the risk of equipment damage if a strike occurs. The protective design may also be adapted for other drone platforms, allowing the concept to be tested in different operational settings.

Potential Uses and Impact

Lightning‑guiding drones could be used to support the protection of infrastructure such as power facilities, communication towers, airports, and wind farms. By directing lightning toward designated safe zones, the likelihood of strikes affecting critical systems may be reduced.

In regions that experience frequent storms, drones could be deployed during severe weather periods to help manage where strikes occur. This approach could contribute to reducing service interruptions, equipment damage, and safety risks.

Recognition and Future Efforts

Further testing is planned to evaluate the system under a wider range of weather conditions. Ongoing work focuses on improving operational stability, refining deployment methods, and assessing how the technology could be used in real‑world safety applications.