The U.S. Air Force has begun flight testing of Beta Technologies' electric aircraft, Alia, in Florida, marking the company's first delivery to a contracted partner.
Initial trials involved multi-base flights, an hour-long recharge at the first military-installed Level 3 charging station (demonstrating "electric hot pitting"), and subsequent flight missions.
A key objective of the testing is to collect infrared (IR) signature data to establish a baseline for electric aircraft and compare their survivability to conventional models.
Data collected on battery usage, logistics, and safety findings will inform the AFWERX eVTOL program and help establish procedures and infrastructure for electric aviation within the Air Force.
The U.S. Air Force began its first round of testing of Beta Technologies’ electric aircraft Alia in Florida, the service announced this week.
The Alia arrived at Duke Field (KEGI), located about 10 miles north of Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, in late October, marking Beta Technologies’ first delivery of an aircraft to a contracted partner.
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