FutureFlight
U.S. Air Force Selects Small Business Teams For eVTOL R&D Contracts
Just over 250 teams consisting of small firms and universities have been chosen to work on various technologies to support eVTOL aircraft development.
Sabrewing Rhaegal cargo eVTOL aircraft
Sabrewing's Rhaegal cargo-carrying eVTOL is one of several new aircraft programs being supported by the U.S. Air Force's Agility Prime program. (Photo: Sabrewing)

The U.S. Air Force’s Afwerx innovation and acquisition unit is recommending more than 250 proposals made through its X20D Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) Open Topic program. The contracts awarded to the selected teams cover phase one research and development work in support of the Agility Prime initiative to advance possible military applications for new eVTOL aircraft in partnership with the private sector.

Each team consists of a company and a university. The Air Force intends to publish the names of those selected within a few weeks once contracts are finalized. The companies and their academic partners will share more than $38 million in federal funding available under phase one of the STTR program, with each team receiving $150,000.