Beta Technologies

The army is the second branch of the U.S. military to support development work on Beta Technologies' Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft, which is already being assessed by the U.S. Air Force under its Agility Prime program.

The aviation training group is now partnering with three eVTOL aircraft developers, including Beta Technologies, Jaunt Air Mobility, and Volocopter.

Former U.S. Air Force Assistant Secretary Will Roper, who launched the Agility Prime program to advance joint military and civil applications for eVTOL aircraft, is joining the board of Beta Technologies.

The additional capital will support the expansion of Beta Technologies' engineering and production resources as it works to bring the Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft to market by 2024.

The approval under the air force's 516c airworthiness certification criteria clear the way for the six-seat Alia aircraft to conduct manned test flights as part of the Agility Prime program.

Beta Technologies refers to the six-seat Alia 250 as an "electric vertical aircraft," rather than using the standard industry term eVTOL.

UPS Flight Forward has signed a deal to buy 10 Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft, with options for another 140 units.