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.