AFWERX identified Valkyrie Systems Aerospace (VSA), a cutting-edge developer of manned/unmanned aerial platforms, as one of the companies selected to move forward in the AFWERX HSVTOL (High-Speed Vertical and Take-Off Landing) Concept Challenge. This competition, which began in April 2021, is in partnership with United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) and is seeking design ideas for state-of-the-art high-speed vertical take-off and landing (HSVTOL) concepts. All concepts submitted needed to support four critical mission profiles that demand agile mobility:

• Infiltration and exfiltration of Special Operations Forces (SOF) and equipment
• Personnel recovery (PR)
• Aeromedical evacuation (AE)
• Tactical mobility (TM)

“We are so proud to be selected to move forward in this AFWERX HSVTOL challenge. Being selected only solidifies our belief in the HoverJet design and capabilities of our aircraft. Whether military or commercial applications, VSA continues to push the envelope in terms of HSVTOL vehicles” said Glenn Dawson, Valkyrie Systems Aerospace founder/CEO.

Steve Tafoya, Valkyrie Systems Aerospace managing partner, summed up the following steps, “In this next phase, we are looking to develop our solution and concept further to provide the United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM) as well as the U.S. Air Force, the research necessary towards delivering a conceptual design that fits their needs and satisfies the competition.”

“There are so many positives to working with AFWERX as well as United States Special Operations Command (USSOCOM),” said Dawson. “Whether it is collaborating to create products that can positively impact our service people by helping to create a more resilient and mission-ready military force or the opportunity for VSA to receive funding for concept development as well as the potential to create business partnerships with the Air Force or other U.S. Government agencies, we’re grateful for the opportunity to move forward in this competition.”

Established in 2017 by former Secretary of the Air Force Heather Wilson, AFWERX is an innovative arm of the Department of the Air Force supporting both the U.S. Air Force and U.S. Space Force. Powered by the Air Force research laboratory, AFWERX supports the transition of agile, affordable, and accelerated capabilities by teaming innovative solution providers with Airmen and Guardian talent.

VSA’s HoverJets, unmanned/optional piloted aircraft, support multiple global missions that include multi- domain operations resupply missions, civilian and battlefield medical evacuation, extraction of personnel and equipment, real-time situational awareness and threat detection, re-establishment of downed communications systems, firefighting and much more.

This press release was prepared and distributed by Valkyrie Systems Aerospace.