Air Force to host Agility Prime virtual launch event this month

The Air Force is planning a virtual launch event later this month for its new Agility Prime program that aims to accelerate growth in and leverage technology from the transformative vertical flight market, the service announced today.

This technology -- which includes electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing and urban/advanced air mobility aircraft -- can help perform a variety of missions, such as distributed logistics, medical evacuation, disaster relief and border security.

As industry struggles to obtain air worthiness certification, the Air Force wants to help companies overcome that obstacle by offering up its vast testing ranges. Will Roper, the service's acquisition executive, also hopes the Air Force's early involvement with an emerging field will help prevent supply chain migration to China, as with the small drone industry.

The kick-off event, scheduled to occur between April 27 and May 1, will mark the service's first formal outreach to potential stakeholders since unveiling Agility Prime last year and establishing a contracting opportunity in February. The launch is intended to assure industry and investors of the Air Force's commitment to the program, the service said in a news release today.