U.S.-based companies Joby Aviation and L3Harris Technologies have announced a new strategic partnership to develop a hybrid-electric eVTOL aircraft focused on military applications.
The project aims to adapt the Joby S4 model, originally fully electric, to operate with a new gas turbine-based propulsion system, creating a concept of a optionally piloted vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
According to the statement, the goal is to assess the aircraft’s military capabilities in low-altitude missions, with an emphasis on operational versatility. The aircraft will be designed for both manned and autonomous operations, expanding its applicability in diverse mission scenarios.
The schedule foresees that experimental flights with the new hybrid eVTOL will begin by the end of 2025, with operational demonstrations planned for 2026.
Despite its primary focus in the civilian sector, Joby already has a history of collaboration with the United States Air Force, having supplied electric aircraft prototypes under the now-defunct Agility Prime program. Over the past few years, the company has received more than 130 million dollars from the Air Force to support the development of its vertical takeoff technology.
However, with the realization that fully battery-powered electric aircraft have limited range—especially for military operations in the Indo-Pacific—the U.S. Air Force shifted its focus in 2024 to hybrid-electric propulsion solutions, which are better suited to current tactical and operational demands.
The new partnership between Joby and L3Harris aims to fill this gap by combining Joby’s expertise in advanced air mobility with L3Harris’s integration and defense capabilities.
Source and image: Joby Aviation. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
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