Electric aircraft firm **Joby Aviation** is collaborating with **L3Harris** to develop an **autonomous hybrid vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft** tailored for defense applications.
The companies plan to commence flight tests in **fall 2023** and aim to demonstrate operational capabilities in government exercises by **2026**. The partnership combines Joby’s commercial aircraft development expertise and manufacturing capabilities with L3Harris’ experience in **platform missionization**, which includes sensors, effectors, communication, and collaborative autonomy.
The aircraft is based on Joby’s **S4 platform** and is designed for both piloted and fully autonomous operations. It utilizes a **gas turbine propulsion system** and is projected to have a range of defense applications, such as Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (**ISR**) as well as contested logistics missions. As a VTOL aircraft, it can take off vertically, similar to a helicopter.
While Joby is primarily recognized for its commercial endeavors, it has established a relationship with the **Department of Defense (DOD)** since **2016**, having received a contract from the Defense Innovation Unit.
In **2020**, Joby’s eVTOL aircraft obtained its first **airworthiness certification** from the Air Force’s innovation cell, **AFWERX**, as part of the **Agility Prime program**. More recently, in **2023**, Joby delivered an air taxi to **Edwards Air Force Base** in California to aid in logistical operations, including the transportation of cargo, parts, and personnel. The Air Force has also considered utilizing Joby’s aircraft for **combat rescue operations**.
Joby CEO **JoeBen Bevirt** expressed that the partnership with L3Harris represents a logical progression for the company, highlighting their decade-long collaboration with the DOD to advance dual-purpose technologies ready for demonstration and deployment.
