To accelerate innovation and the introduction of emerging technologies, the US Air Force has initiated testing Pivotal’s BlackFly electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in Ohio as part of the Agility Prime program.
The service said in a press release that since mid-June, experts from AFWERX, the Department of the Air Force’s innovation arm within the Air Force Research Laboratory, have been working with Beavercreek, Ohio-based defense contractor Modern Technology Solutions Inc., or MTSI, to evaluate Pivotal’s BlackFly eVTOL aircraft.
Through an operational leasing initiative, the Agility Prime program assesses the aircraft and their supporting ecosystem.
Building infrastructure
“We’re not just interested in the aircraft’s flying capabilities,” said Josh Lane, AFWERX flight test engineer.
“We’re also looking at the infrastructure, including electric charging systems like the DANNAR battery energy storage system and the portable chargers provided by the original equipment manufacturers. We are assessing the overall flight operations in the context of Air Force and other stakeholder concepts of employment.”
AFWERX aims to accelerate innovative and emerging technologies toward capabilities that can be transitioned to the warfighter.
The Agility Prime program focuses on transformative vertical lift technologies, such as the BlackFly, which explores electric and hybrid vehicles for various mission sets.
These sleek, single-seat eVTOL aircraft, normally piloted by a person, are being tested in an unmanned configuration to assess their capabilities and potential military applications better.
Exploring military usage
“We’re exploring a range of military-type use cases, from logistics and material transport to emergency response and intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions,” said Jacob Wilson, AFWERX Agility Prime acting branch chief.
“Our goal is to accelerate the commercial adoption of these innovations, particularly in the U.S., to ensure a strong industrial base of these technologies and transition the most suitable among them to the warfighter.”
The morning of testing began with preparing the equipment in a hangar at the National Advanced Air Mobility Center of Excellence, or NAAMCE.
The NAAMCE opened on September 18, 2023, to advance the development and integration of advanced air mobility technologies, including unmanned flight operations, for testing airspace integration and potential policy development.
The team hooked up a BlackFly aircraft to the back of a pickup truck, grabbed the DANNAR’s remote control, and headed to the flight line.
DANNAR is also an AFWERX partner, and its remote-controlled Mobile Power Station can provide up to a half-megawatt of energy storage in its high-capacity lithium-ion battery packs.
The four-wheel drive and multi-mode steering capabilities enhance its usability in austere environments.
Capabilities of eVTOL
The vertical takeoff requires minimal space, demonstrating BlackFly’s capability to operate in confined areas, unlike traditional aircraft.
The remote pilot shifts the control input, and the BlackFly transitions from vertical ascent to forward flight. The rotors gradually tilt, propelling the aircraft forward while still climbing.
Joshua Bohun, Sinclair College associate director for advanced air mobility training, explained the flight profile, which focused on an ISR use case. MTSI subcontracted Sinclair to support the BlackFly evaluation.
“We fly out to a specific location, get eyes on a target, perform orbits around it and then return,” he said.
While flying the aircraft manually, Bohun monitored the aircraft’s systems, including battery levels and motor temperatures, to ensure safe operations.
“It’s really easy to fly,” he added, noting that the aircraft’s advanced control systems simplify many aspects of traditional piloting.
The ground control station operator records detailed notes on every phase of the flight to analyze performance.
After a 20-minute test flight, the aircraft is plugged into the DANNAR for charging, data on charging time is collected, and the team prepares for a second test flight.
The team operates daily to maximize flight tests with six available BlackFly aircraft for continuous testing and data collection.
The flight operation will continue until mid-September, and a detailed report on the aircraft’s performance and potential for government acquisition will be provided.
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