SBIR-STTR Award

BETA Technologies is developing a 600-1400lb payload, 180-250 nm range eVTOL aircraft for non-defense passenger and cargo service. Its high level architecture emphasizes simplicity in order to maximize reliability and operational efficiency. Direct drive electric motors eliminate all gearboxes. 100% air-cooling eliminates liquid cooling systems. Dedicated hover and cruise mode propulsion systems eliminate articulating structures. The principal operational benefits of this aircraft include: 75% reduction in fuel cost (accounting for battery cycle life), 60% reduction in maintenance costs, increased availability and simplified support requirements. The proposed effort will assess how this aircraft performs relative to present AF missions and what adaptations could be made to help tailor the aircraft to an Air Force cargo logistics application.

The proposed collaboration effort significantly advances the USAF’s and HHS’s knowledge of eVTOL aircraft through; access to real flight tests and recharge operations, access to raw flight test data and data visualization tools, detailed performance descriptions of enhanced eVTOL flight simulators, detailed cargo handling study for the ALIA eVTOL aircraft, and a gap analysis for the certification and 516C airworthiness plan.  The proposed collaboration effort gives the USAF Agility Prime program clear data-backed view into a commercially viable eVTOL aircraft and supporting infrastructure with a path to mission definition and early adoption. A key outcome of the proposal is the ability for the US government to leverage emerging safe, quiet and reliable eVTOL technology for missions now conducted by ground vehicles. Optional Phase 2+ efforts are also offered, which include the lease of an operational eVTOL aircraft and two recharging stations for operational studies.  Other, optional Phase 2+ deliverables include an immersive eVTOL flight & mission simulator, an airworthiness certification plan, and aircraft adaptation studies for military use.