Overview
- The SuperPilot-equipped demonstrator completed its maiden flight on Nov. 7 at Joby’s Marina, California facility, three months after the hybrid concept was unveiled.
- The aircraft pairs a gas-turbine generator with Joby’s S4 eVTOL platform to extend range and payload beyond the limits of all-electric designs.
- Under a partnership with L3Harris, the defense-focused variant will add sensors and communications for roles such as contested logistics, loyal-wingman operations, and low‑altitude support.
- Joby says ground and flight testing will continue ahead of operational demonstrations with U.S. government customers in 2026.
- The dual-use effort builds on the S4 program, which has logged more than 50,000 miles of flight testing and is in the final phase of FAA type certification, and aligns with a FY2026 U.S. request exceeding $9 billion for next‑generation autonomous and hybrid aircraft.