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Joby, L3Harris Developing Autonomous Aircraft for Defense Missions
SAN MATEO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, AUG 01 – Flight tests of the gas-turbine hybrid VTOL will begin this fall to support military missions including contested logistics and electronic warfare, aiming for operational use by 2026.
- On 1 August, Joby Aviation and defence contractor L3Harris announced a partnership to develop a gas-turbine hybrid VTOL aircraft for low-altitude defense missions.
- Amid renewed military interest, Joby Aviation has developed a gas turbine hybrid propulsion system for its S4 platform, building on last year's hydrogen-electric hybrid flight of 521 miles under the US Air Force’s Agility Prime program.
- Flight testing is expected later this year with operational demonstrations in 2026, and the new aircraft will support both crewed and fully autonomous operations.
- In response to the announcement, Joby Aviation shares climbed while L3Harris shares ticked down, as both hope upcoming flight tests will lead to a DoD contract.
- Across the industry, competitors like Archer Aviation have formed defense partnerships, with Archer CEO Adam Goldstein predicting a larger defense segment, while Sikorsky’s Rich Benton highlights hybrid-electric rotorcraft benefits.
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15 Articles
·New York, United States
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Joby Aviation and defense contractor L3Harris to test autonomous hybrid aircraft
Joby's years of R&D with the DoD may be paying off. The company has signed an agreement with defense contractor L3Harris to develop a gas-turbine hybrid VTOL that can fly autonomously — for defense applications.
·United States
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Total News Sources15
Leaning Left3Leaning Right1Center4Last UpdatedBias Distribution50% Center
Bias Distribution
- 50% of the sources are Center
50% Center
L 38%
C 50%
13%
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