The U.S. Defense Department is investing more in flying taxis and other similar innovations, allowing aircraft developers to achieve their goals further.
(Photo : Photo by ANTHONY WALLACE/AFP via Getty Images)
Germany-based company Volocopter 2X's air taxi is flown by test pilot Damian Hischier during a demonstration of South Korea's Urban Air Mobility services at Gimpo International Airport in Seoul in November 11, 2021.
For the past few years, tech manufacturers that create supersonic jets, drones, flying taxis, and other aerial technologies have always had difficulty earning regulatory approval.
On the other hand, it is also difficult for them to receive public acceptance. Aside from these, some investors are also not that patient.
Because of these issues, aircraft manufacturers usually take years before their inventions can generate needed revenue for further developments.
US Defense Department Invests in Flying Taxis!
According to Axios' latest report, the military contracts from the U.S. Defense Department and other similar government agencies can fill near-term revenue gaps.
(Photo : Photo credit should read CHRISTOF STACHE/AFP via Getty Images)
Visitors watch a prototyp of the first flying taxi, the eVTOL - electric vertical take-off and landing Jet - of the company Lilium during the trade fair Digital Summit (Digital Gipfel) in Nuremberg, southern Germany, on December 4, 2018. (Photo by Christof STACHE / AFP)
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This means that flying taxi developers and other aircraft developers can get the needed financial assistance that will allow them to test their vehicles in the sky.
They can even use the investments made by the U.S. Defense Department to speed up their commercial developments.
One of the latest aircraft makers to receive help from the U.S. Defense Department is Joby Aviation. This aerospace firm specifically has an existing contract with the U.S. Air Force's Agility Prime project.
As of writing, Joby Aviation plans to use the deal with the U.S. Air Force to launch its commercial air taxi service.
"This is about getting new technology to the Pentagon at a lower cost, and faster. But it also ties into a long history that the military is often a good first customer," said Paul Sciarra, Joby Aviation.
eVTOL Now Tested by the US Army
While Joby Aviation's air taxi service is being supported by the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army is focusing on testing eVTOLs (Electric VTOLs).
The military agency tested the aerial zero-emission vehicle, allowing it to operate for more than one hour. It was held in partnership with the Air Force Research Laboratory Technology.
If you want to see further details about this eVTOL test flight, you can see the official report of Defense Post.
Previously, U.S. Air Force's million-dollar contract was acquired by SpaceX.
Also, Lockheed Martin tested a laser weapon that could protect soldiers.
For more news updates about the U.S. Defense Department and its other plans, always keep your tabs open here at TechTimes.
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Written by: Griffin Davis
