BETA and Near Earth Autonomy collaborating on autonomy systems designed for dual-use aircraft
BETA Technologies, Inc. ("BETA") (NYSE:BETA) is accelerating the development of autonomous capabilities to enable BETA aircraft to fly faster, further, and carry more to serve an increased scope of critical defense and commercial applications. In addition to years of internal autonomy system development, BETA is collaborating with Near Earth Autonomy ("Near Earth") to support development and integration.
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BETA's simple and reliable electric and hybrid VTOL aircraft are designed with fly-by-wire (FBW) flight control technology, providing an ideal platform to enable both crewed and uncrewed operations. BETA has been developing and flying autonomous capabilities for the past several years, conducting more than 1,000 hours of uncrewed flights on a fleet of subscale aircraft with a demonstrated range of more than 158 nautical miles (182 statute miles) on a single charge. Near Earth adds expertise in perception, guidance, path planning and certifiable autonomous systems designed for a range of mission sets from its experience supplying autonomous systems with the U.S. military and industry OEMs.
BETA has successfully completed initial integration of the perception and guidance suite into the FBW flight control system with support from Near Earth. BETA anticipates flight testing will begin in the first half of 2026.
"Increasing our autonomy capabilities will deliver even greater optionality to operators, including faster speed, higher payload, longer range, and optional piloting," said Shawn Hall, BETA's Chief Revenue Officer. "In order to meet the demands of the defense and civil sectors today, mobility platforms must be smarter, more flexible, and ready to operate where traditional systems can't. Recent announcements from the Department of Transportation and Department of War both point towards the accelerated fielding of autonomous aircraft. We are excited to be at the center of this effort with both civil and military customers."
BETA's continued development of autonomous capabilities enables expansion of BETA's offering to military customers and commercial cargo logistics customers such as UPS, Bristow, and e-Smart Logistics, among others.
"This collaboration builds on Near Earth's proven work of bringing Responsive Uncrewed Capability (RUC) to helicopters, such as converting the UH-60L Black Hawk to RUC-60 enabling helicopters operations without onboard pilots. By leveraging the technology foundation, operational experience, and certification groundwork established through the RUC-60 program, we will help integrate advanced autonomy into ALIA to enable safe, efficient, and scalable operations across a wide range of missions," said Sanjiv Singh, CEO of Near Earth Autonomy. "Partnering with BETA Technologies is a natural extension of our experience and expertise in bringing autonomy to a variety of missions and aircraft. Working with a pioneer in electric aviation allows us to combine high-assurance autonomy with cutting-edge electric propulsion to help unlock sustainable, scalable autonomous air mobility."
BETA aircraft are optimized for range, payload, and high-cadence operations across defense, cargo and logistics, medical, and passenger applications. Engineered for all-weather performance, with IFR and FIKI capability on the near-term roadmap, BETA's piloted aircraft can carry up to 1,240 pounds or five passengers and nearly double without a pilot. Over the past several years, BETA has conducted extensive real-world operations — with flights across the U.S., Europe, and New Zealand; participation in customer demonstrations and airshows; and completing joint military exercises with a 100% dispatch rate.
The Advanced Air Mobility industry has seen recent tailwinds of support from the current administration, including an executive order announcing the U.S. DOT's Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), an executive order on Modernizing Defense Acquisitions and Spurning Innovation in the Defense Industrial Base, and The War Department's publication of six Critical Technology Areas to include contested logistics. This demand signal from Washington is further accelerating BETA's advancement of autonomous capabilities.
ABOUT BETA TECHNOLOGIES
BETA is an aerospace company designing, manufacturing and selling high-performance electric aircraft, advanced electric propulsion systems, components and charging systems to top operators worldwide. BETA has built and flown its family of ALIA aircraft, consisting of both conventional fixed-wing electric aircraft (the "ALIA CTOL") and electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft ("ALIA VTOL"), including multiple trips across the United States. BETA is deploying a network of charging infrastructure to enable the growing industry with more than 50 sites online across the U.S. and Canada. BETA's intentional approach to developing the enabling technologies necessary to electrify aviation unlocks lucrative aftermarket revenue opportunity over the life of each aircraft. These highly scalable enabling technologies allow BETA to serve a customer base across cargo and logistics, defense, passenger and medical end markets and unlock cost-effective and safe missions.
ABOUT NEAR EARTH AUTONOMY
Near Earth Autonomy develops high-assurance autonomy systems that enable aircraft to take off, fly, and land without onboard pilots, even in GPS-denied or degraded visual environments. By bridging aerospace and robotics, Near Earth enhances safety, performance, and efficiency across platforms ranging from small drones to helicopters. Near Earth is leading U.S. Army and Marine Corps programs to advance autonomous aerial logistics. The company also partners with leading aerospace and eVTOL manufacturers to advance certifiable autonomy for next-generation aircraft. These innovations advance cargo delivery, passenger transport, and mission-critical operations across urban and remote environments. Learn more at nearearth.aero.
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
This press release contains "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of federal securities laws. These statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding BETA's development of autonomy capabilities, and plans and anticipated benefits from collaborations with Near Earth. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors. The risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are more fully detailed in BETA's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC"), including its prospectus filed with the SEC on November 4, 2025. Please note that any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that BETA believes to be reasonable as of the date hereof. BETA undertakes no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events, except as required by law.
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BETA Technologies
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Near Earth Autonomy
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