The Air Force will have access to the first of its kind manned electric aircraft and BETA’s immersive electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) simulators located in Washington, D.C. and Springfield, Ohio, allowing pilots and engineers to test the ALIA aircraft in multiple scenarios including missions in inclement weather, requiring emergency handling, and with multiple aircraft.
“Agility Prime is about creating a new path to adopt advanced technologies in the Department of Defense by working with innovative companies like BETA in ways that enable new markets,” Col. Nathan Diller, AFWERX director, said. “The engineering, test, and acquisition professionals in Air Force Materiel Command have phenomenal expertise to help accelerate this and other emerging markets.”
The Air Force plans to use eVTOL aircraft for search and rescue, disaster relief, humanitarian operations, logistics, and other defense support.
