Beta Technologies

Helicopter operator Bristow is continuing to expand into the advanced air mobility market with new plans to order as many as 55 Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft from Beta Technologies.

Beta Technologies has been conducting multiple test flights with its Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft, which can carry passengers or freight.

The agreement could almost double the number of aircraft in LCI's portfolio, which already includes helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.

Venture capital groups TPG Rise Climate and Fidelity Management & Research Company lead the latest investment in Beta Technologies.

Beta Technologies is working to bring the six-seat, fixed-wing Alia 250 eVTOL model into commercial service in 2024 and is also building a network of charging stations across the U.S.

The army is the second branch of the U.S. military to support development work on Beta Technologies' Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft, which is already being assessed by the U.S. Air Force under its Agility Prime program.

The aviation training group is now partnering with three eVTOL aircraft developers, including Beta Technologies, Jaunt Air Mobility, and Volocopter.

Former U.S. Air Force Assistant Secretary Will Roper, who launched the Agility Prime program to advance joint military and civil applications for eVTOL aircraft, is joining the board of Beta Technologies.

The additional capital will support the expansion of Beta Technologies' engineering and production resources as it works to bring the Alia 250 eVTOL aircraft to market by 2024.

The approval under the air force's 516c airworthiness certification criteria clear the way for the six-seat Alia aircraft to conduct manned test flights as part of the Agility Prime program.