Aircraft
Joby's eVTOL Aircraft Coming to MacDill Air Force Base
Operational testing will begin at MacDill in 2025
Two of Joby’s prototype electric air taxi aircraft at the company’s flight test and manufacturing facilities in Marina, California.
Two of Joby’s prototype eVTOL aircraft are pictured outside at the company’s flight test and pilot production facilities in Marina, California. © Joby Aviation

Joby Aviation plans to deliver two of its eVTOL aircraft to MacDill Air Force Base in Tampa, Florida, the company announced on March 19. MacDill will be the second USAF base to obtain a Joby eVTOL aircraft, following the company’s first-ever delivery to Edwards Air Force Base in California last September. Joby says it intends to ship a second aircraft to Edwards later this year, followed by the two deliveries to MacDill in 2025.

The U.S. Air Force’s Afwerx innovation unit has been working with Joby since 2016 and has awarded the company an Agility Prime contract worth up to $131 million. As part of that contract, Joby has agreed to deliver up to nine of its five-seat eVTOL air taxis to the USAF, which is evaluating potential military applications for the novel type of aircraft.

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