Joby air taxi completes first flight with new hybrid engine

Joby Aviation has completed the first flight of a long-range vertical takeoff and landing air taxi powered by a turbine-electric hybrid engine. The test took place at the company’s facility in Marina, California.

Joby said the aircraft combines the new hybrid turbine powertrain with its SuperPilot autonomy software. The company stated that the system is designed to extend range and increase payload capacity.

SuperPilot includes real-time sensor fusion using radar, LiDAR, and vision tools. It provides environment perception and autonomous mission management. The software can plan routes, adjust to changing weather or air-traffic conditions, and re-task the aircraft during flight. Joby said the platform also supports remote operations and long-range autonomy, citing demonstrations over thousands of miles using remote ground stations.

The autonomy stack incorporates system-health monitoring features. According to Joby, these include predictive modeling, digital-twin functions, and a compute platform built for certification.

Joby said the aircraft’s hybrid configuration supports military operations by enabling deployment from forward locations without runway infrastructure.

The hybrid system was developed under a partnership with L3Harris Technologies. L3Harris is providing sensors, effectors, communications equipment, and collaborative autonomy components. The companies said these additions are intended to adapt the aircraft for government missions.

Joby and L3Harris plan to begin operational demonstrations next year. The trials will focus on contested logistics, low-altitude support, and loyal wingman roles. NextGenDefense reported that the effort aligns with U.S. government plans for resilient autonomous and hybrid aircraft, noting that more than $9 billion has been requested in the fiscal 2026 budget for next-generation platforms.

L3Harris executive Jason Lambert said unmanned systems will play a central role in supporting manned assets on future battlefields. He said the partnership with Joby advances the development of missionized VTOL aircraft for defense needs. Lambert added that L3Harris has delivered thousands of missionized aircraft and aims to scale quickly to field commercial VTOL systems adapted for military use.