Beta's eVTOL Goes Hybrid To Fly Farther on Defense Missions

Beta Technologies unveiled its uncrewed military aircraft, the Alia MV250, at the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow. The autonomous, hybrid-electric VTOL, which evolved from the Alia 250 eVTOL model, is designed for contested logistics and can be configured to carry supplies, sensors, munitions, or wounded soldiers, depending on the mission. In an interview with AIN, Beta defense team member Larry Smith explains how the MV250 flies without a pilot on board, and why the company added a hybrid turbogenerator to its all-electric aircraft family.