The project combines Joby’s advanced aircraft development and manufacturing capabilities with L3Harris’ expertise in platform missionization, including sensors, communications, effectors, and autonomous systems. Initial flight testing is expected to begin in the autumn, with operational demonstrations planned during government exercises in 2026.
Jon Rambeau, President of Integrated Mission Systems at L3Harris, stated: “The next generation of vertical lift technology enables long-range, crewed-uncrewed teaming for a range of missions. We share a vision with Joby to deliver urgently-required innovation by missionizing VTOL aircraft for defense applications.”
Joby’s founder and CEO, JoeBen Bevirt, emphasised the company’s longstanding engagement with defence stakeholders. “We have worked closely with the Department of Defense over the past decade to give them a front row seat to the development of our dual-purpose technology, and we’re now ready to demonstrate and deploy it,” he said.
“Our country depends on companies like ours moving at pace, and we have the team, the technology and the platform to do just that,” Bevirt added. The new defence aircraft will build on Joby’s existing S4 platform, which is currently being adapted with a gas turbine hybrid powertrain.
In June 2024, Joby completed a 561-mile hybrid flight under a government contract, marking an industry first in the sector. The company has also advanced autonomous flight capabilities through the acquisition of Xwing’s autonomy division, enabling future uncrewed operations.
