Joby Aviation's autonomous, hybrid-electric air taxi completed its first flight on Nov. 7, 2025, advancing air taxi and military drone efforts.

Joby Aviation completed the first flight of its hybrid turbine-electric, autonomous VTOL aircraft on November 7, 2025, at its California facility, marking a major step in developing air taxis and defense-ready aircraft. The demonstrator, developed with L3Harris Technologies, uses a hybrid powertrain and Joby’s SuperPilot autonomy system to extend range and payload, with potential for commercial air taxi services and military roles like logistics and “loyal wingman” missions. The U.S. government has shown strong interest, requesting over $9 billion in the FY26 budget for next-gen platforms. Flight testing will continue into 2026, with government demonstrations planned.