In a world-first breakthrough, Japan’s Nippon Telegraph and Telephone Corporation (NTT) has developed drone technology that can intentionally trigger lightning strikes—a move set to transform how the world manages and protects itself from nature’s electric fury.
The innovative system uses lightning-resistant unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) equipped with a protective cage to fly near thunderclouds at high altitudes. By detecting electric field fluctuations, these drones can accurately predict lightning activity and attract strikes, redirecting them safely to the ground using conductors.
With around 6,000 lightning bolts hitting the Earth every minute, NTT believes this technology could dramatically reduce damage to cities and infrastructure worldwide. The company said, “The goal is to reduce damage caused by lightning strikes worldwide, with the ultimate aim of absorbing thundercloud energy and eliminating lightning strikes that reach the ground.”
NTT is also working on converting this raw natural energy into usable kinetic and magnetic energy. Using compressed air and advanced charging systems, the company hopes to develop lightning charging technology that could one day power devices or facilities directly.
“The technology uses lightning-resistant UAVs… flying near thunderclouds at high altitudes to attract and guide lightning strikes safely to the ground via conductors, thereby protecting people and equipment from damage,” NTT explained.
To achieve this, researchers are improving drone resilience against strong electromagnetic fields and lightning currents, enabling them to fly stably even in the most volatile weather conditions.
The development holds immense promise for telecom companies, electric utilities, and government agencies, offering a futuristic solution to protect critical infrastructure from unpredictable lightning strikes.
