Beta Technologies’ Alia Electric Aircraft, Crew Arrive at Eglin AFB for Testing Program

Air Force pilots will help evaluate the airplane’s performance on mission, including resupply and personnel transport.

Thursday, October 26, 2023 at 03:00 PM ET

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Beta Technologies' Alia electric aircraft flies over Washington, D.C., on its way to Duke Field. [Courtesy: Beta Technologies]

Key Takeaways:

Beta Technologies' Alia electric aircraft has commenced a multi-month deployment with the U.S. Air Force at Duke Field for extensive experimentation and training.
This deployment marks Beta's first aircraft delivery to a contracted partner and the Air Force's initial receipt of a manned Beta aircraft, highlighting a significant advancement in electric aviation for military applications.
The Air Force will use the Alia to test potential uses such as critical resupply, cargo delivery, and personnel transport, while Beta also established charging infrastructure along the aircraft's 1,500 nm journey to the base.

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Beta Technologies said its Alia electric aircraft landed Thursday at Duke Field, a subsidiary of Eglin Air Force Base, to begin a months-long deployment period with the U.S. Air Force. The aircraft, which made a series of flights down the East Coast to reach the base in Florida, is to be used for a series of experiments.

The Alia’s arrival at Duke marks the company’s first delivery of an aircraft to a contracted partner and the Air Force’s receipt of its first manned Beta aircraft. Beta recently worked with the Air Force to arrange the installation and commissioning of one of the company’s chargers at Duke Field earlier this month.