Electric aircraft developer Beta Technologies is expanding the scope of its work with advanced propulsion systems through a partnership with General Dynamics Applied Physical Sciences to support new undersea vehicles. The companies announced their partnership on September 26, saying that Beta will manufacture hardware for the major U.S. defense group, as well as provide engineering services.
The project will build on the electromechanical engineering work Beta has conducted for its Alia aircraft, including the Alia 250 eVTOL model and the CX300 conventional takeoff and landing version. The partners have not specified what types of undersea vehicles they are addressing or the missions these might undertake.
In early September, Beta launched another partnership with GE Aerospace focused on developing a hybrid-electric turbogenerator for various military and civil aircraft. GE has also agreed to make a $300 million equity investment in the Vermont-based start-up.
According to Beta’s founder and CEO, Kyle Clark, the commitments major aerospace groups like General Dynamics and GE have made to the company are founded in the progress it has demonstrated with the Alia aircraft and, in particular, through various Pentagon-backed projects it has supported.
Beta has reported that its aircraft have logged an availability rate of over 99% in flight trials conducted for both the U.S. Army and Air Force through various Afwerx and Agility Prime programs. Test pilots from both services have flown the Alia models in personnel transport and critical resupply missions conducted at Duke Field and Eglin Air Force Base for the Air Mobility and Air Combat Commands. The company’s proprietary electric propulsion system is now being assessed for certification by both the FAA and EASA.
“This partnership reflects the trust we’ve built through years of demonstrated performance,” Clark said. “From flying across the country on electric power to meeting the mission needs of our military partners, we’ve shown what our propulsion systems can deliver in the air—and now, we’re excited to contribute to the next generation of undersea systems.”