Joby Aviation, known for its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and defense contractor L3Harris Technologies announced a new collaboration to develop and test a next-generation autonomous hybrid aircraft for defense applications. The partnership, revealed on Friday, aims to begin flight testing the new optionally piloted aircraft in Fall 2025, with operational demonstrations anticipated by 2026. This initiative leverages Joby's commercial aircraft development and manufacturing capabilities alongside L3Harris' expertise in defense system integration.
The new aircraft will be a gas turbine hybrid VTOL, designed for low-altitude missions and capable of both crewed and fully autonomous operations. It will be based on Joby's existing S4 aircraft platform, which is primarily developed for urban air mobility. L3Harris will contribute its proven capabilities in "platform missionization," including the integration of sensors, effectors, communication systems, and collaborative autonomy, according to official statements.
The collaboration is exploring opportunities to create a new class of aircraft specifically for military use, aligning with the Department of Defense's increasing interest in advanced autonomous capabilities. Jon Rambeau, president of Integrated Mission Systems at L3Harris, stated that the new vertical lift technology will enable long-range, crewed-uncrewed teaming for various missions. Potential defense applications include critical areas such as airborne surveillance, reconnaissance, contested logistics, electronic warfare, and counter-unmanned aircraft systems, addressing evolving operational needs.
Joby Aviation has maintained a long-standing relationship with the Department of Defense since 2016, actively developing dual-purpose technologies suitable for both commercial and military applications. The company further bolstered its autonomous capabilities with the acquisition of Xwing's autonomy division in June 2024. JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby Aviation, emphasized the readiness of their technology, stating:
“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.” This partnership with L3Harris, a major defense industry player, signifies a strategic pivot to apply its core technology in the defense sector, utilizing a hybrid propulsion system to meet military requirements.
The companies anticipate that successful flight tests and subsequent operational demonstrations by 2026 could pave the way for substantial military contracts with the Department of Defense. This strategic alliance underscores a broader industry trend of adapting commercial aviation innovations, particularly in autonomous and hybrid aircraft, for critical defense needs. The market has reacted positively to the news, with Joby's shares reportedly experiencing a surge of over 100% and L3Harris's stock rising 30% this year, reflecting investor confidence in the venture's potential.