Joby and L3Harris will fly military VTOL aircraft this year
Why it matters: The previously undisclosed project will undergo real-world testing shortly. It's expected to fly this fall and is scheduled for military demonstrations next year.
Driving the news: Paul Sciarra, Joby's executive chairman, told Axios the aircraft is designed with contested logistics, counter-drone and electronic warfare applications in mind.
"We and L3 both think something that is smaller; something that has adaptable payloads for a wide range of mission types, just like helicopters do; and something that has the ability to go full autonomous and work in collaboration with other assets is very likely the future of low-altitude aviation across the branches," he said.
Zoom in: It's the first time the two companies are working together on an effort like this.
Joby brings its aircraft development and manufacturing capabilities to the table. L3Harris brings its sensing, communications and autonomy expertise.
Sciarra, Joby's first outside investor, described L3Harris as an "especially nimble prime." It's the 10th largest defense contractor in the world when ranked by defense-related revenue, according to Defense News analysis.
Zoom out: Demand for drones and other smart machinery is only growing. The Russia-Ukraine war is accelerating government purchases and industry investment.
Joby last summer acquired the autonomy division of Xwing, which previously conducted autonomous cargo delivery for the Air Force using a modified Cessna.
The bottom line: "The next-generation of vertical lift technology enables long-range, crewed-uncrewed teaming for a range of missions," Jon Rambeau, L3Harris' president of integrated mission systems, said in a statement.
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