Beta Technologies unveils MV250 hybrid-electric military VTOL aircraft
Beta Technologies (NYSE: BETA) unveiled the MV250, an autonomous hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft designed for military logistics, at the Farnborough International Airshow.
According to the company, the MV250 has a reposition range of 1,300 nautical miles and carries a 2,000-pound payload within a tactical range of 250 nautical miles. The aircraft is built on the same airframe architecture as Beta's existing ALIA VTOL civil aircraft platform.
Beta developed the aircraft's series hybrid-electric turbogenerator jointly with GE Aerospace (NYSE: GE) under an existing Joint Technology Development Agreement. The turbogenerator is based on GE's CT7/T700 turbine and is designed to extend operational flight range while also providing ground-based power for auxiliary equipment.
The MV250's flight control system has been tested with both Sikorsky's MATRIX autonomy system and Beta's internally developed autonomy software. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin. The aircraft is compliant with the Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) standard.
"Every time new platforms join the MATRIX autonomy family, we widen the network of uncrewed systems available to commanders," said Rich Benton, vice president and general manager of Sikorsky.
Beta states the MV250's major components are produced on its existing production lines using common tooling shared with its civil aircraft products. Earlier this year, Beta deployed its all-electric ALIA CTOL aircraft during NATO Exercise Aurora 26 in Sweden at the invitation of the U.S. Army. The company said it expects to participate in upcoming large-scale military exercises with the MV250.
Kyle Clark, founder and CEO of Beta Technologies, said the platform "uses advanced airframes and technologies we at BETA have spent years flying and combines them with exceptional products from GE Aerospace and Sikorsky."
