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Army

Army Interest in Electric Aircraft Tied to More Powerful Batteries

By Brian Garrett-Glaser

Wednesday, January 29th, 2020

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Army Interest in Electric Aircraft Tied to More Powerful Batteries

Joby Aviation, which recently took $400 million in investment from Toyota, has a four-passenger electric air taxi design that can travel 150 miles on a single charge. (Joby Aviation)

SAN JOSE, Calif.--Advancements in electric power and battery density are catching the Army’s eye but aren’t yet ready for prime-time in military aviation, according to Brig. Gen. Walter Rugen, director of the U.S. Army’s cross-functional team for Future Vertical Lift. Speaking at a conference on transformative vertical flight here last week, Rugen said the Army is “doing some hybrid engine work” and tracking the rapid development of electric VTOL aircraft. "My challenge to folks – because the Army needs tremendous…

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