Joby has announced it will deliver its first of up to nine electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to the US Air Force at the famed Edwards Air Force Base today (26 September 2023). The company said this delivery comes six months ahead of the expected early-2024 delivery timetable. According to a Joby spokesperson, the early delivery was thanks to a combination of the team at its Marina, California facility making better-than-expected progress and, on the USAF side of the equation, an earlier-than-expected completion of the recharging facilities thanks to work with the utilities supplier to the base.
The air taxi, which was the first to be built at Joby’s pilot production line in Marina, California, will be used to demonstrate a range of logistics missions, including cargo and passenger transportation, and will be operated by both Joby and USAF personnel. In partnership with the USAF, NASA will also use the aircraft for research focused on how these aircraft could fit into the national airspace.
“We’re proud to join the ranks of revolutionary aircraft that first demonstrated their capabilities at Edwards Air Force Base, including the first American jet fighter, the first supersonic aircraft, and many others that have pushed the boundaries of aviation technology,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO of Joby. “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 defence aerospace technology.”
The second aircraft is planned for delivery to Edwards AFB in early 2024.
