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 concluded a three-month experimental deployment of its electric Alia CTOL aircraft with the U.S. Department of Defense, involving Air Force pilots for performance evaluations and training at Eglin Air Force Base.
The trials demonstrated Alia's potential for military applications like simulated casualty evacuation and maintenance recovery, showcasing significant cost savings and faster response times compared to traditional vehicles.
This deployment is part of the Air Force's Agility Prime program, continuing a multi-year partnership with Beta Technologies to assess the fit of electric aircraft for critical DOD missions such as resupply, cargo delivery, and personnel transport.
Beta plans for the Alia CTOL to enter service in 2025, followed by an eVTOL variant in 2026, building on previous electric aviation firsts achieved with Air Force support.

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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.