Overview

• Joby and L3Harris signed an exploratory agreement on August 1 to adapt the electric S4 into a gas-turbine hybrid VTOL for defense applications.
• The aircraft will integrate L3Harris sensors, payloads, effectors and collaborative autonomy for optionally piloted operations.
• Flight testing is slated to begin this fall, followed by operational demonstrations in 2026 aimed at securing a Defense Department contract.
• Mission roles under evaluation include contested logistics, electronic warfare and counter-unmanned aircraft systems at lower cost than an AH-64 Apache helicopter.
• The project builds on Joby’s prior hydrogen-electric hybrid range record and its Agility Prime partnership with the U.S. Air Force.