Joby and L3Harris combine to develop new aircraft class for defense operations

Air taxi developer Joby Aviation is joining forces with L3Harris Technologies to develop a new aircraft class for defense operations.  

On August 1, 2025, the two US companies revealed that they were exploring opportunities to bring to market a fuel turbine hybrid vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft based on Joby’s S4 air taxi.  

The VTOL aircraft would be deployed for low altitude missions and with an onboard pilot option, enabling both crewed and fully autonomous operations. 

Joby is actively developing a fuel turbine hybrid powertrain for its current S4 aircraft platform and has previously had success completing a 523-mile eVTOL flight powered by a hydrogen-electric propulsion system. 

eVTOL aircraft developers Vertical Aerospace and Archer Aviation have both taken huge strides into the defense sector, seeing the industry as a potentially valuable addition to the commercial market.  

Flying is what we do best. Test pilot Zach Reeder took to the skies over Edwards AFB, performing a transition flight and pushing the boundaries of what’s next. pic.twitter.com/oBnCPWAoMK— Joby Aviation (@jobyaviation) July 31, 2025 Joby has also already demonstrated aircraft-level autonomy following its acquisition of the autonomy division of Xwing in June 2024.  

“The next generation of vertical lift technology enables long-range, crewed-uncrewed teaming for a range of missions,” said Jon Rambeau, President, Integrated Mission Systems, L3Harris. “We share a vision with Joby to deliver urgently-required innovation by missionizing VTOL aircraft for defense applications.” 

L3Harris brings a wealth of experience to the table, with proven expertise in platform missionization including sensors, effectors, communication and collaborative autonomy.   

The two companies said that the collaboration “leverages Joby’s existing commercial aircraft development program and leading manufacturing capabilities”. 

“We have worked closely with the Department of Defense over the past decade to give them a front row seat to the development of our dual-purpose technology, and we’re now ready to demonstrate and deploy it,” said JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO, Joby Aviation.  

He added: “Our country depends on companies like ours moving at pace, and we have the team, the technology and the platform to do just that.” 

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