Beta Technologies Concludes First Electric Aircraft Deployment for Air Force

Air Force pilots flew the electric aircraft manufacturer’s conventional takeoff and landing design in a series of experimental trials.

Jack Daleo

Monday, January 29, 2024 at 10:46 AM ET

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Beta’s electric Alia CTOL aircraft takes off from the runway at Eglin Air Force Base’s Duke Field in Florida. [Courtesy: Beta Technologies]

Key Takeaways:

Beta Technologies' electric Alia CTOL aircraft successfully completed a three-month experimental deployment with the U.S. Department of Defense, involving U.S. Air Force pilots, a mobile simulator, and Beta's charging system.
The trials demonstrated Alia's potential for significant cost and time savings in critical DOD missions, such as simulated casualty evacuations and Maintenance Recovery Team (MRT) operations, compared to traditional aircraft and vehicles.
This deployment, part of the ongoing AFWERX Agility Prime program, reinforces the partnership aimed at integrating electric aircraft into DOD operations for roles like resupply and personnel transport.
Alia also achieved notable flight milestones en route to the base, including navigating major restricted airspace, with Beta planning for its CTOL variant to enter service in 2025.

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Manufacturer Beta Technologies is designing a conventional takeoff and landing (CTOL) aircraft. But the aircraft is anything but conventional, as evidenced by a series of experimental trials with the U.S. Department of Defense.

Beta on Monday announced that it concluded its first deployment with the DOD at Eglin Air Force Base’s Duke Field (KEGI) in Florida. The three-month campaign involved Beta’s electric Alia CTOL, a mobile flight simulator, and the company’s built-in-house charging system.