FutureFlight
Jaunt Competes in U.S. Military High-Speed VTOL Challenge with New MAV55 Vehicle
Like its hybrid-electric civil VTOL design, the company's MAV55 Multi-Mission Air Vehicle uses a fixed wing and its slowed rotor compound technology.
Jaunt MAV55
Jaunt is offering its MAV55 Multi-Mission Air Vehicle to the U.S. Air Force and Special Operations Command. (Image: Jaunt Air Mobility)

The U.S. Air Force and U.S. Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) have confirmed the inclusion of Jaunt Air Mobility among the 35 contenders for the High Speed VTOL (HSVTOL) Concept Challenge organized by the USAF’s Afwerx unit to evaluate options for possible military applications. The company is offering a new hybrid-electric MAV55 Multi-Mission Air Vehicle based on the patented slowed rotor compound (SRC) technology it is using to develop its Jaunt Journey all-electric VTOL aircraft for civil applications.

The MAV55 is a larger airframe than the Journey, based on the alternative hybrid-electric vehicle Jaunt is developing with powertrain specialist VerdeGo Aero and featuring GE Aviation's Catalyst engine. The new design will have a useful load of around 11,000 pounds, and be able to carry 12 troops up to 1,610 miles at speeds of 308 mph.