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24. April 2025
Ntt Unveils Revolutionary Drone That Can Survive Lightning Strikes To Safeguard Critical Infrastructure
NTT’s Lightning-Triggering Drone Survives Strike, Aims to Protect Infrastructure: A Groundbreaking Development in the Battle Against Weather-Related Damage
Japanese tech giant NTT has successfully developed a drone capable of triggering and surviving lightning strikes. This groundbreaking achievement marks a significant milestone in the ongoing quest to mitigate the devastating effects of weather-related damage on critical infrastructure.
NTT conducted a series of tests in December 2024 and January 2025, which showcased the drone’s ability to induce lightning at a distance of 300 meters (984 feet). This innovative approach has the potential to significantly reduce the estimated ¥100 billion to ¥200 billion ($700 million to $1.4 billion) in annual lightning-related damage in Japan.
The drone’s technology works by mimicking the natural process of lightning induction, which occurs when a strong electric field builds up between a cloud and the ground. A conductive wire tethered to a ground-based winch creates a localized electric field that can trigger lightning strikes in the vicinity.
The design of the drone’s protective cage is crucial to its success. This cage redirects high lightning currents away from internal components, preventing damage, and distributes the current radially to minimize electromagnetic interference. The result is a drone that can continue to fly stably even after withstanding a direct lightning strike.
This technology has far-reaching implications for industries and communities around the world. Traditional lightning rods, while effective for fixed structures, lack the flexibility to protect sprawling urban areas or remote infrastructure. NTT’s drone-based solution addresses this gap by enabling targeted lightning induction in diverse locations.
Imagine fleets of drones patrolling cities during storms, triggering controlled strikes to prevent natural lightning from damaging critical assets like power substations or communication networks. This concept has the potential to redefine the way we think about lightning protection, particularly in regions with high thunderstorm activity.
However, deploying these drones raises complex regulatory questions. Airspace management during thunderstorms, already restricted due to safety concerns, would require new protocols to accommodate drone fleets. Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau has yet to address such specialized applications. Internationally, standards from bodies like the International Civil Aviation Organization could influence adoption.
Market potential hinges on cost and scalability. Retrofitting commercial drones with NTT’s cage could lower barriers to entry, but operating fleets at scale demands significant investment in infrastructure, training, and maintenance. Competitors in the drone sector may explore similar technologies, intensifying innovation in this niche.
NTT’s vision is bold, but it also comes with its share of challenges. A single storm can produce hundreds of thousands of strikes—878,000 in one U.S. event in 2025—making comprehensive protection of urban areas a logistical challenge. Regulatory hurdles and the need for real-time storm tracking further complicate deployment.
Despite these challenges, NTT’s innovation signals a new frontier in specialized applications for drone professionals. As technology continues to evolve, we can expect to see more innovative solutions emerge from this space.
The potential benefits of NTT’s technology are significant, but so too are the costs and complexities associated with its deployment. To maximize its impact, it is essential to consider its implications for industries and communities around the world. Policymakers, innovators, and industry leaders must work together to ensure that this technology is deployed in a way that prioritizes safety, efficiency, and effectiveness.
The future of lightning protection has never looked brighter. With NTT’s groundbreaking achievement at its forefront, we can expect to see a new wave of innovation and collaboration in the years to come. As we look to the horizon, one thing is certain: the world of drone technology will never be the same again.
NTT’s development of a lightning-triggering drone serves as a reminder that even the most seemingly insurmountable challenges can be overcome with determination, creativity, and a willingness to push the boundaries of what is possible.