Joby Aviation delivered its first electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to Edwards Air Force Base. This historic event, which saw the aircraft delivered approximately six months earlier than its anticipated 2024 delivery date, has positioned Joby as a pioneering figure in the burgeoning air taxi industry.
Key Highlights:
- Historic Delivery: Joby Aviation delivered its first electric air taxi to Edwards Air Force Base ahead of schedule.
- Innovative Collaboration: As part of Joby’s $131 million contract with the Department of Defense (DOD), the aircraft will be employed for various logistics missions. Through these, the aircraft will showcase its cargo and passenger transport potential.
- Pilots and Purpose: US Air Force pilots will command these revolutionary eVTOLs, combining innovative civilian technology with defense applications.
Joby’s eVTOL at Edwards AFB. Photo Credit: Joby Aviation
The newly delivered eVTOL, crafted on Joby’s Pilot Production Line in Marina, CA, symbolizes the future of transportation. The aircraft will be stationed at Edwards Air Force Base in the upcoming year. The US Air Force and Joby Aviation will collaborate on flight testing, evaluating its real-world mission capabilities. Furthermore, it will serve as a platform to train Air Force pilots and aircraft maintenance crews. It will offer them a firsthand experience of this disruptive technology.
Joining the Ranks of Revolutionary Aircraft
Joby Aviation’s association with the DOD isn’t recent. It dates back to 2016 when Joby secured early funding and vital resources through the Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). This support accelerated Joby’s development trajectory, illustrating the power of synergistic public-private partnerships.
JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby, said, “We’re proud to join the ranks of revolutionary aircraft that first demonstrated their capabilities at Edwards Air Force Base. They include the first American jet fighter, the first supersonic aircraft, and many others that have pushed the boundaries of aviation technology. The longstanding support of the DOD and NASA has been critical to the rapid development of electric aviation and eVTOL aircraft and demonstrates how successful public-private partnerships can bring new technology to life at speed. Their work will have profound implications for continued American leadership in both commercial and defense aerospace technology.”
“The delivery of this first eVTOL aircraft is the start of a new chapter in Edwards’ rich aerospace history,” notes Maj Phillip Woodhull, director, Emerging Technologies Integrated Test Force. “This partners private industry with the 412th Test Wing’s world-renowned test management execution. We are excited to agilely test, experiment with, and evaluate this new technology for potential future national defense applications.”
Joby Aviation Partners with NASA and the US Air Force AFWERX Program
Additionally, in alliance with the US Air Force’s AFWERX program, NASA plans to contribute to this groundbreaking initiative. Leveraging NASA’s extensive experience and resources will enhance the broader Advanced Air Mobility industry, benefiting all stakeholders.
“Agility Prime’s stated objective in 2020 was to work towards an operational capability for transformative vertical lift in the DoD by 2023. The arrival of Joby’s aircraft at Edwards AFB is an important step towards achieving this objective,” said Col Elliott Leigh, AFWERX director and Chief Commercialization Officer for the Department of the Air Force.
“NASA’s participation in the Joby and AFWERX project will provide our researchers with hands-on experience with a representative eVTOL vehicle, concentrated on how these types of aircraft could fit into the national airspace for everyday use, that will inform NASA’s effort in supporting the entire eVTOL industry,” said NASA research pilot Wayne Ringelberg. “The research will include a focus on handling qualities evaluation tools, autonomy, and airspace integration, which is all needed research to push the industry forward.”
The Joby aircraft has promising specs. It boasts a top speed of 200 mph and a range of up to 100 miles. Joby Aviation hopes to revolutionize urban commutes, making them faster, quieter, and more environmentally friendly.
About Joby:
Hailing from California, Joby Aviation is committed to developing a state-of-the-art, all-electric vertical take-off and landing air taxi. With plans to launch a swift, silent, and efficient service across global cities, Joby aims to redefine urban mobility. For more information, visit Joby Aviation.
