Joby Commits to Deliver 2 Air Taxis to MacDill Air Force Base

The electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) manufacturer has now committed a total of four aircraft to U.S. Department of Defense sites.

Jack Daleo

Tuesday, March 19, 2024 at 02:53 PM ET

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A pair of Joby prototype aircraft sit on the runway at the manufacturer’s flight test and pilot production facility in Marina, California. [Courtesy: Joby Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Joby Aviation is expanding its U.S. Air Force contract, committing to deliver eVTOL aircraft to MacDill AFB for training and testing, part of its $163 million in DoD contracts, the largest in the eVTOL industry.
The Air Force will utilize these eVTOLs for various operational missions, including logistics, personnel transport, and casualty evacuation, providing Joby with crucial early flight experience and data.
This government-industry collaboration, primarily through AFWERX, benefits both the military by exploring new capabilities and eVTOL manufacturers by accelerating aircraft development, operational experience, and progress towards FAA commercial certification.

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The U.S. Air Force has gotten a taste of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and the agency is clamoring for more.

Joby Aviation, a manufacturer of eVTOL air taxis that it expects to begin operating in 2025, on Tuesday committed to deliver two aircraft to MacDill Air Force Base (KMCF) in Tampa, Florida, to be used for Air Force training and testing. The agreement is an expansion of the company’s $131 million contract with AFWERX, the innovation arm of the Air Force, which calls for the delivery of nine aircraft.