Recent advancements in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft
have generated significant interest within and beyond the traditional
aviation industry. Many novel applications have been identified and are
under development. One promising application is for last-mile (and
middle-mile) military transport and logistics, which can complement current
mission capabilities and enhance operational readiness. With the dynamic and
varying global challenges facing military operations, eVTOL aircraft can
offer timely, on-demand, and potentially cost-effective aerial mobility
components to the overall solution. Rapid response to operational needs
could translate into enhanced mission capabilities, preservation of lives,
and increased effectiveness through timely transport of personnel and cargo.
Current eVTOL aircraft may not have the payload capacity for aerial
transportation of heavy equipment or a large volume of supplies, but—for
targeted missions—they can be valuable in select military applications.
However, some challenges need to be addressed before identified capabilities
and benefits can be realized at scale. These include mission-specific eVTOL
vehicle development, detect-and-avoid capabilities in complex and
challenging operating environments, autonomous and artificial
intelligence-enhanced mission capabilities, charging system compatibility
and availability for battery-electric vehicles, simplified operator and
support training, vehicle/fleet logistics and support, as well as secured
supply-chain management. Acceptance from stakeholder services, military
leadership, field commanders, and operating and support team members is also
critical for the successful implementation of these new competencies. This
chapter aims to identify the benefits and challenges of integrating eVTOL
aircraft into military operations.