Vermont-based Beta Technologies is working toward FAA type certification for Alia by 2024. [Courtesy Beta Technologies]
Key Takeaways:
Beta Technologies secured a U.S. Army contract to flight test its Alia electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, aiming to develop military cargo and logistics applications.
This partnership marks another step in the military's adoption of sustainable electric aviation and will accelerate Alia's development for both military and civil uses.
The Alia eVTOL is a second-generation aircraft designed for cargo and passenger transport, capable of 250 nm range, and has already secured purchase agreements with companies like UPS and Blade.
Beyond aircraft development, Beta Technologies plans to establish a multi-state network of charging stations to support a broader electric transportation ecosystem for all electric vehicles.
Vermont-based Beta Technologies announced Monday it has won a U.S. Army contract to support flight testing of its Alia electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft.
The partnership eventually aims to help the Army test specific military cargo and logistics missions for eVTOLs, while allowing Beta to accelerate development for both military and civil applications.
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Thom is a former senior editor for FLYING. Previously, his freelance reporting appeared in aviation industry magazines. Thom also spent three decades as a TV and digital journalist at CNN’s bureaus in Washington and Atlanta, eventually specializing in aviation. He has reported from air shows in Oshkosh, Farnborough and Paris. Follow Thom on Twitter @thompatterson.
