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Advanced / Transformational Technology

Orbs Find Potential Use in Contingency Response & CSAR Missions

Kelsey Reichmann

Thursday, December 17th, 2020

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Orbs Find Potential Use in Contingency Response & CSAR Missions

Joby Aviation received the first military airworthiness for an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicle from the AFWERX Agility Prime program. (Joby Aviation)

Orbs, which are essentially electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, are novel in how they operate and the technology they use presents the military with new potential use for old problems. Orbs can be manned or unmanned and incorporate non-traditional electric or hybrid propulsion. During a Dec. 10 panel at AFWERX Accelerate, military leaders discussed how orbs could be used in future contingency response and personnel recovery missions. The Air Force is shifting its operating concept to meet the…

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