Advancing Aviation: NASA Explores Electric VTOLs and Autonomous Air Taxis

NASA and the U.S. Air Force are collaborating to test Joby Aviation's electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi for potential civilian and military applications. The delivery of the aircraft to the U.S. Air Force AFWERX Agility Prime program marks the beginning of testing focused on integrating such vehicles into the national airspace. NASA will evaluate air traffic management, flight procedures, and ground-based infrastructure using the Joby aircraft, contributing to the development of future air transportation systems. The military is also exploring the defense applications of these aircraft, with the flight test campaign led by the Emerging Technologies Integrated Test Force at Edwards Air Force Base.