Jaunt awarded Air Force Research contract for advanced thermoplastics and manufacturability for low-cost eVTOL Aircraft Production

Jaunt Air Mobility announced today the Air Force Research Laboratory awarded the company a Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contract. The research team, including Triumph Aerospace Structures and Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), will investigate the integration of novel thermoplastic technologies and low-cost production techniques into an all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for commercial urban air mobility and military applications. This is one of three contracts awarded under the leadership of Martin Peryea, CEO of Jaunt Air Mobility.

Jaunt Air Mobility is developing the Journey, a four-passenger, single pilot, all-electric aircraft with thermoplastic composites as its primary structure. The vehicle provides a cost-effective solution for potential military (Air Force, Marines, and AFMC), commercial travel (Urban, Charter, etc.), cargo delivery, disaster response, humanitarian aid, and logistics missions.

Martin Peryea stated, “We plan to produce 2,500 vehicles per year at each of our manufacturing centres. High-rate production solutions are needed to meet this unprecedented aircraft market demand. Future eVTOL aircraft will require low-cost thermoplastics as traditional thermoset composites cannot meet production rates and cost targets.”
 
Triumph Aerospace Structures is a Tier-1 aerospace manufacturing company with in-depth knowledge and practical experience launching new programs, including the Boeing, Gulfstream, Bombardier, and Embraer.

Using its patented induction welding, Triumph will develop manufacturing processes and methods for high-rate production scenarios. The entire vehicle manufacturing process will be modelled to identify key cost drivers.

In collaboration with Triumph, Georgia Tech will establish an internal structural layout for a thermoplastic composite wing and design allowables for the material system. Georgia Tech’s team has over a decade of experience and strong expertise in the field of structural optimization for fixed-wing vehicles.

Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) programs are highly competitive programs that encourage domestic small businesses to engage in Federal Research/Research and Development with commercialization potential. Through a competitive awards-based program, STTR enables small businesses to explore their technological potential and provide the incentive to profit from its commercialization. Central to the STTR
program is the partnership between small businesses and nonprofit research institutions. STTR is to bridge the gap between basic science and the commercialization of resulting innovations.

Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) leads the discovery, development, and delivery of warfighting technologies for our air, space, and cyberspace forces. We’re pushing the boundaries and creating a new tomorrow through unparalleled research. AFWERX is a United States Air Force program to foster a culture of innovation within the service. This initiative is to circumvent bureaucracy and engage new entrepreneurs in Air Force programs.

Jaunt Air Mobility is a transformative aerospace company. We design and build an all-electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing aircraft for advanced air mobility, addressing multiple markets. Jaunt is the world leader in Reduced rotor Operating Speed (ROSA™) aircraft, combining a fixed-winged aircraft’s efficiency and advanced helicopter performance. www.jauntairmobility.com

Contact Nancy Richardson, nmrichardson@jauntairmobility.com; 610-952-2595