All-electric fixed-wing aircraft offloads cargo at JB McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst

Published July 11, 2024
By Master Sgt. Joseph Vigil
Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst Public Affairs

JOINT BASE MCGUIRE-DIX-LAKEHURST, N.J. (AFNS) --

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst played a vital role in a historic first cargo flight as part of a demonstration of the ALIA CTOL, a battery-powered fixed-wing aircraft, July 9. The National Aerospace Research and Technology Park (NARTP) in Atlantic City tested the aircraft’s cargo usage by flying a lap pattern from Atlantic City, Dover Air Force Base and JB MDL.

The U.S. Air Force, in a partnership with BETA Technologies, has been instrumental in the development of ALIA. This groundbreaking aircraft, with a range of 250 nautical miles and the capacity to seat up to five passengers, is a testament to the Air Force's adaptability to new technologies. The Air Force's interest in the ALIA’s flexible applications further reinforces its commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements.

Moving cargo between Dover AFB and JB MDL with the ALIA is advantageous because it saves time and many other valuable resources.

“We can be ready to take off in a matter of minutes, and the battery has a low center of gravity, which is not affected by the way you load the cargo,” said Ross Elkort, BETA Technologies flight test engineer.”

Alyxandra Scalone, 305th Maintenance Squadron Production Controller (right), and her Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory team prepare to load cargo on BETA Technologies’ prototype, ALIA CTOL, a battery-powered fixed-wing aircraft at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., July 9, 2024. This is the first demonstration of the aircraft’s cargo capabilities. BETA partnered with AFWERX Agility Prime to test the capabilities of moving cargo between bases in a safer, cleaner, and more cost-effective way. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joseph Vigil)

Posit Moyer, test pilot, and Ross Elkort, test engineer, prepare BETA Technologies’ prototype, ALIA CTOL, a battery-powered fixed-wing aircraft, for takeoff at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., July 9, 2024. A team from the 305th Maintenance Squadron’s Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory loaded the aircraft with 222 pounds of cargo for delivery to Dover Air Force Base, Del. BETA partnered with AFWERX Agility Prime to test the capabilities of moving cargo between bases in a safer, cleaner and more cost-effective way. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joseph Vigil)

BETA Technologies’ prototype, ALIA CTOL, a battery-powered fixed-wing aircraft, takes off at Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst, N.J., July 9, 2024. A team from the 305th Maintenance Squadron’s Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory loaded the aircraft with 222 pounds of cargo for delivery to Dover Air Force Base, Del. BETA partnered with AFWERX Agility Prime to test the capabilities of moving cargo between bases in a safer, cleaner, and more cost-effective way. (U.S. Air Force photo by Master Sgt. Joseph Vigil)

The 305th Maintenance Squadron’s Precision Measurement Equipment Laboratory team unloaded 319 pounds of cargo from Dover AFB and loaded 222 pounds to send on a return trip.

Having last-mile cargo delivery handled by a battery-powered fixed-wing is an opportunity to make air mobility safer, cleaner and more cost-effective.

“It brings key innovation to the mission. It's going to make things faster and simpler,” said Alyxandra Scalone, 305th Maintenance Squadron production controller. “Dover (AFB) is about two and a half hours away from us. Today’s flight only took 45 minutes.”

“An all-electric aircraft like the ALIA is the next evolution of rapid global mobility,” said Zachary White, BETA Technologies team member. “We started working with the AFWERX Agility Prime Program in 2019. We are super excited to be here and supporting Air Mobility Command. Doing different types of missions and flying cargo between bases, it was great to see the flexibility of this aircraft.”