Key Points
- Joby Aviation and defense firm L3Harris are partnering to build a new military aircraft.
- The craft will be a hybrid VTOL that can be piloted or fly autonomously.
- The project aims to create a cheaper, more flexible alternative to traditional military helicopters.
- Initial uses will include surveillance, reconnaissance, and delivering supplies in high-risk zones.
Joby Aviation, a company known for its electric air taxis, is partnering with defense manufacturing giant L3Harris to develop a next-generation military aircraft. The companies announced Friday that they will create a craft that can take off and land vertically (VTOL) and fly with or without a pilot.
The partnership combines Joby’s innovative aircraft design with L3Harris’s deep experience in military systems and technology. Joby’s executive chairman, Paul Sciarra, said that modern conflicts like the war in Ukraine are changing how the military thinks about low-altitude aviation. He stressed the need for a new type of aircraft that is smaller, cheaper, and more adaptable than a traditional $30 million Apache helicopter.
This new military vehicle will be based on Joby’s S4 aircraft but will use a gas turbine instead of being all-electric like its commercial air taxis. This will give it the power and range needed for demanding military missions.
L3Harris executive Jon Rambeau said the project will initially focus on tasks like airborne surveillance, reconnaissance, and delivering supplies in dangerous, high-risk areas. The companies plan to move quickly, with testing scheduled to begin this fall and full operational demonstrations set for 2026.
The announcement comes as Joby continues to expand its commercial operations. The company is working toward FAA approval for its air taxis and recently delivered its first aircraft to the United Arab Emirates. The new military partnership marks a significant step into the defense sector for the innovative aviation firm.
