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Joby, L3Harris Developing Autonomous Aircraft for Defense Missions

SAN MATEO COUNTY, CALIFORNIA, AUG 01 – Flight tests of the gas-turbine hybrid VTOL will begin this fall to support military missions including contested logistics and electronic warfare, aiming for operational use by 2026.

  • On 1 August, Joby Aviation and defence contractor L3Harris announced a partnership to develop a gas-turbine hybrid VTOL aircraft for low-altitude defense missions.
  • Amid renewed military interest, Joby Aviation has developed a gas turbine hybrid propulsion system for its S4 platform, building on last year's hydrogen-electric hybrid flight of 521 miles under the US Air Force’s Agility Prime program.
  • Flight testing is expected later this year with operational demonstrations in 2026, and the new aircraft will support both crewed and fully autonomous operations.
  • In response to the announcement, Joby Aviation shares climbed while L3Harris shares ticked down, as both hope upcoming flight tests will lead to a DoD contract.
  • Across the industry, competitors like Archer Aviation have formed defense partnerships, with Archer CEO Adam Goldstein predicting a larger defense segment, while Sikorsky’s Rich Benton highlights hybrid-electric rotorcraft benefits.
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18 Articles

U.S. NewsU.S. News
Lean Left

L3harris, Joby Aviation Partner to Develop Military Aircraft

·New York, United States
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Defense NewsDefense News
Center

Joby, L3Harris developing autonomous aircraft for defense missions

The companies plan to start flight tests this fall and be ready to demonstrate operational capabilities in government exercises by 2026.

·United States
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sherwood.newssherwood.news
Lean Left

Joby Aviation partners with L3Harris on military aircraft, flight tests to begin this year

Joby’s air taxi rival Archer Aviation announced a similar deal with defense contractor Anduril in December....

Read Full Article
Breaking DefenseBreaking Defense
Lean Right

Joby, L3Harris team up to pitch new, hybrid VTOL aircraft to DoD - Breaking Defense

“The sort of lowest hanging fruit there are probably contested logistics, counter-UAS [unmanned aerial systems] and electronic warfare,” Joby Executive Chairman Paul Sciarra told Breaking Defense.

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CNBCCNBC
Center

Joby, L3Harris partner on hybrid defense craft that can be piloted or autonomous

The partnership brings together Joby's hybrid vertical take-off and landing, or VTOL, aircraft and L3's expertise in military systems.

·United States
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TechCrunchTechCrunch
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Center

Joby Aviation and defense contractor L3Harris to test autonomous hybrid aircraft

Joby's years of R&D with the DoD may be paying off. The company has signed an agreement with defense contractor L3Harris to develop a gas-turbine hybrid VTOL that can fly autonomously — for defense applications.

·United States
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Bloomberg broke the news in United States on Friday, August 1, 2025.
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