Airspace Experience Technologies Inc. (ASX) in Detroit announced at the 2024 CES show in Las Vegas it has signed an Other Transaction Prototype (OTP) contract agreement with AFWERX (U.S. Air Force Work Project) Agility Prime.
The agreement is focused on uncrewed aircraft systems to address the most pressing challenges in the Department of the Air Force (DAF).
ASX designs and builds electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft at the Coleman A. Young International Airport in Detroit. The company’s eVTOL SIGMA-6 was designed to offer the capability to connect logistics operations internationally, as well as take commuters out of traffic and into the air.
Under the authority of 10 U.S.C. §4022, the Agility Prime office of the U.S. Air Force’s vertical lift program, is pursuing prototype projects from nontraditional and traditional defense contractors. The projects are meant to help the government assess the transformative vertical flight market and vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) technologies.
The move also seeks to establish a collaborative strategy with industry and investors that accelerates fielding the most promising dual use technologies that implement savings and utility for government and civilian commercial markets.
As these systems mature toward certified commercial operations, the government will identify opportunities for early adoption, with the potential for procurement and fielding in the next three years.
The core technologies of interest include emerging eVTOL, urban/advanced air mobility (UAM/AAM) aircraft, and alternative technologies.
The aircraft may incorporate non-traditional electric and hybrid-electric propulsion for manned or optionally manned missions, onboard pilot, remote-pilot, or autonomous control.
Based on emerging commercial trends, the vehicles are typically characterized by employment of distributed propulsion for vertical flight and potential use of a wing for horizontal flight, along with augmented flight control systems, and high levels of automation or autonomy. Besides aircraft, the effort will consider similar support to other enabling technologies.
The principal purpose of the agreement is to conduct a research and development program for the development of a prototype.
“This is a significant milestone for ASX to demonstrate a cost effective, modular, vertical takeoff and landing aircraft to support contested logistics, emergency response, and ultimately, personnel transport,” says Jon Rimanelli, CEO of ASX.
The effort will require prototype testing — providing data which will allow the USAF and government stakeholders to accurately assess the vehicle’s capabilities and airworthiness in support of eventual type certification and potential early adoption.
The agreement is an other-prototype transaction pursuant to 10 U.S.C. §4022. The principal purpose of the agreement is to conduct a research and development program for the development of a prototype in accordance with Area of Interest (AOI #3) of ICO FA8625-20-R- 2028. The agreement will require prototype testing, providing data which will allow the USAF and government stakeholders to accurately assess the vehicle’s capabilities, and airworthiness in support of eventual type certification and potential early adoption.
“In many respects, Michigan is a birthplace for innovation and groundbreaking technologies, which is evident by the success and impact of ASX over the years, now resulting in it securing this latest agreement with the U.S. Air Force,” says Justine Johnson, chief mobility officer for the state of Michigan.
“ASX has deep roots in Detroit, where it’s been able to access the state funding, connections, and talent it needs over the years to grow to exciting new heights within our robust aerospace industry. We’re proud to congratulate our friends at ASX on this well-deserved achievement and look forward to them continuing to show the world what it means to make it in Michigan.”
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