Naomi Cooper
Beta Technologies has delivered its all-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida to undergo a series of tests as part of the U.S. Air Force’s Agility Prime accelerator program.
The Air Force Research Laboratory’s AFWERX innovation arm and Beta Technologies plan to commence the test campaign for the Alia eVTOL aircraft on Nov. 7 at Duke Field on Eglin AFB, AFRL said Friday.
With its low noise profile, the Alia aircraft is 90 percent quieter than a helicopter. The eVTOL can seat up to five passengers and transport cargo with a carrying capacity of 1,000 lbs.
In May 2021, the company secured airworthiness approval from the Air Force for the service branch’s first manned electric aircraft.
Alia conducted its first crewed test flight in March 2022 at Beta’s testing facility in Plattsburgh, New York.
Beta has supported the AFWERX Prime program since December 2019 and has provided the initiative with three simulators, including a mobile simulator for pilot training and demonstrations, and two Level-3 electric chargers.
