The Pipistrel Velis Electro is of great interest to the US Air Force, who will take charge of two aircraft as part of the Agility Prime program, in order to explore the operational and training uses of the aircraft.
The Velis Electro joins the US Air Force…
After Joby Aviation it is now Pipistrel’s turn to join the US Air Force. The Slovenian-born aircraft manufacturer announced on October 26, 2023 that the Pipistrel Velis Electro – the world’s first certified electric aircraft – has been selected by AFWERX (the technological directorate of the Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL ) and the Department of the Air Force’s Innovation Branch) and Modern Technology Solutions, Inc. (MTSI) to be leased under the United States Air Force’s Agility Prime program to to explore operational and training uses of the aircraft.
…As part of the Agility Prime program
Agility Prime is the Air Force’s vertical transportation program that partners with the ADAVe commercial industry to drive the third aerospace revolution, providing access to zero-emission aircraft for a variety of uses, including for training and operations. “The selection of the Velis Electro by AFWERX and MTSI is a strong endorsement of Pipistrel and the growing acceptance by leading organizations of this emerging technology area,” said Kriya Shortt, president and CEO of Textron’s eAviation segment. to which Pipistrel is attached. The two Velis Electro will be directly supported by Pipistrel’s distributor, Lincoln Park Aviation.
