Joby’s new defense partnership could expand impact of Dayton facility
Joby Aviation’s newly announced partnership with defense giant L3Harris Technologies could strengthen the role of its Dayton facility as a national center for aerospace innovation.
The two companies are teaming up to develop a gas turbine hybrid VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) aircraft tailored for U.S. Department of Defense applications. The aircraft is designed to perform low-altitude missions and can operate with or without a pilot.
“The next-generation of vertical lift technology enables long-range, crewed-uncrewed teaming for a range of missions,” said Jon Rambeau, President, Integrated Mission Systems, L3Harris. “We share a vision with Joby to deliver urgently-required innovation by missionizing VTOL aircraft for defense needs.”
“Our country depends on companies like ours moving at pace,” added JoeBen Bevirt, founder and CEO, Joby Aviation. “We have the team, the technology and the platform to do just that.”
Flight testing of the new hybrid defense aircraft is expected to begin this fall, with government demonstrations planned in 2026.
Why It Matters for Ohio
Joby’s partnership with L3Harris aligns closely with its growing footprint in Dayton, where the company is scaling its advanced air mobility operations. In July, Joby announced plans to produce up to 500 electric aircraft per year at its newly renovated Ohio facility—making it one of the largest eVTOL production sites in the U.S.
But Dayton’s significance extends beyond Joby’s investment. As home to Wright-Patterson Air Force Base—one of the largest and most critical U.S. Department of Defense hubs in the country—Dayton plays a central role in military aviation R&D, acquisition, and testing. The region’s proximity to key DoD leadership and infrastructure makes it a strategic location for the kind of defense innovation Joby and L3Harris are pursuing.
With deep aerospace roots, a skilled workforce, and embedded federal assets, Dayton is uniquely positioned to bridge commercial tech with national defense priorities—and Joby’s expanding presence could further accelerate that convergence.
Big Picture
As electric and hybrid aviation moves closer to commercialization, Joby’s investment in Dayton is positioning Ohio at the forefront of an emerging industry that spans commercial, government, and defense applications.
From Intel’s fabs to Anduril’s new operations and Joby’s flying taxis, Ohio is attracting a new class of tech-driven manufacturing that blends hardware, autonomy, and innovation.