U.S. Air Force conducts exercises with Beta's electric aircraft

Beta Technologies has completed two additional military exercises in the United States with its electric Alia aircraft. The Vermont-based company, which develops electric aircraft and charging infrastructure, has been collaborating with the U.S. Department of Defense to explore military applications for electric air taxis like the Alia.

Earlier this year, Beta conducted its initial deployments at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida and the Air National Guard's combat training and readiness center in Savannah, Georgia. For the third and fourth deployments, Beta worked alongside the Air Combat Command and Air Mobility Command, two of the nine Major Commands of the U.S. Air Force.

In late June, the Alia was stationed at the Alpena Combat Readiness Training Center in Alpena, Michigan. There, Beta and the Air Combat Command carried out a contingency location operations rehearsal (CLOR) exercise. Over four days and 24 flight hours, the Alia transported over 2,200 pounds of cargo between Alpena and Grayling Army Airfield. The cargo included meals, medical equipment, cameras, and a tactical security system. Additionally, it took part in a simulated medevac mission and helped address a logistics gap when a mission using a C-130 fixed-wing aircraft was canceled.