Joby Aviation And L3Harris To Develop Hybrid VTOL Aircraft For Defense Missions

Joby Aviation and L3Harris Technologies have announced a new collaboration to explore the development of a hybrid vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft tailored for defense applications.

The aircraft will feature a gas turbine hybrid powertrain and is intended for low-altitude missions, with the flexibility to operate either with a crew or fully autonomously.

The initiative combines Joby’s existing commercial aircraft platform and advanced manufacturing capabilities with L3Harris’ long-standing expertise in mission systems integration, including sensors, communication systems, collaborative autonomy, and onboard effectors.

Together, the companies aim to address the growing demand for adaptable vertical lift platforms in defense operations.

Flight testing scheduled to begin this fall

Initial flight testing of the new aircraft is expected to begin later this year, with Joby and L3Harris targeting operational demonstrations during government exercises in 2026.

The collaboration builds on each company’s existing work with the U.S. Department of Defense, particularly Joby’s decade-long engagement in developing dual-use technologies.

“The next-generation of vertical lift technology enables long-range, crewed-uncrewed teaming for a range of missions,” said Jon Rambeau, President of Integrated Mission Systems at L3Harris.

“We share a vision with Joby to deliver urgently required innovation by missionizing VTOL aircraft for defense needs.”

Joby’s founder and CEO, JoeBen Bevirt, emphasized the strategic importance of this partnership: “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 technologies, and we’re now ready to demonstrate and deploy it. Our country depends on companies like ours moving at pace, and we have the team, the technology, and the platform to do just that.”

The aircraft is being designed to support a variety of defense missions that require flexibility, speed, and extended range. Joby is currently developing a gas turbine hybrid powertrain for its existing S4 platform and has already demonstrated aircraft-level autonomy, following its June 2024 acquisition of the autonomy division of Xwing.

Also in June, Joby completed a 561-mile hydrogen-electric hybrid flight, an industry first, under a U.S. government contract, proving the viability of hybridized VTOL platforms for long-range operations.