Joby Aviation has completed the first flight of a new military-configured version of its electric air taxi, marking a major step toward adapting next-generation aircraft for defense operations. The California-based company says the aircraft, a turbine-electric and partly autonomous variant of its commercial design, is built to carry heavier payloads over significantly longer ranges.

The milestone flight took place at Joby’s test facility in Marina, California, where engineers have been working with the US Department of Defense through an ongoing research partnership. While Joby is best known for its commercial electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, or eVTOL, this military-ready version introduces hybrid propulsion, expanded endurance, and autonomous capabilities designed for missions that require greater reliability under pressure.

The company has been developing the aircraft under the US Air Force’s Agility Prime program, which aims to fast-track emerging aviation technology for national security use. By integrating a small turbine generator with electric propulsion, Joby’s defense model can travel longer distances than its battery-only civilian counterpart, a key requirement for surveillance, logistics, and remote operations.

Engineers say the hybrid architecture allows the aircraft to balance efficiency with operational flexibility, offering quiet electric flight for short missions and extended power from the turbine when needed. The autonomous flight systems, still in early testing, are designed to reduce pilot workload and support unmanned operations, though full autonomy is not expected to be field-ready soon.

For the Pentagon, the promise lies in a platform that can take off and land vertically, carry meaningful payloads, and deploy quickly without runways or large support infrastructure. Analysts say this kind of aircraft could fill gaps in casualty evacuation, base resupply, and intelligence operations, especially in contested or hard-to-reach environments.

Joby, which has already delivered commercial air taxis to the Air Force for evaluation, is using the hybrid prototype to shape future military requirements. The company says the aircraft will undergo a series of test missions in the coming months, including endurance assessments, autonomous capability checks, and payload stress tests.

The flight marks a notable shift in the eVTOL industry, which has largely focused on urban mobility. With defense agencies seeking faster deployment timelines and versatile aircraft, hybrid-electric designs may accelerate adoption ahead of civilian certification.

Joby expects the military variant to inform both its defense and commercial roadmaps, potentially paving the way for longer-range air taxis that can support regional travel, cargo, and emergency response.