The AFWERX Agility Prime Program, launched by the U.S Air Force in April 2020, is partnering with the eVTOL industry to develop a new class of air mobility systems. One of the major challenges faced is the battery technology and management. To address this, the Program recently received a demonstration of a mobile battery care station (December 15th, 2023) developed by Arctech Charge, an Utah-based company.
The station, specifically designed to support eVTOL aircraft testing and operations, can provide fast and safe charging for up to 36 batteries at a time. The system is climate controlled and can offer two battery care profiles:-
: One for extending battery life cycles.
: One for charging as quickly and safely as possible.
Manti Gleason, the co-Founder and CEO of Arctech Charge, commented, “We can either prioritise faster battery turnover or focus on longevity for our battery fleet. The battery care profiles use dynamic charging to optimise its charge condition, ensuring that it meets mission operational needs while also extending its lifespan.”
The company focused on “mobility and safety” when developing the battery charging station, which is something the Agility Prime Program managers insisted on with the project.
Manti Gleason (Credit: Arctech Charge)
Providing optimal care for each battery will reduce the need for frequent battery replacements, which has the potential to save time and money for end users. The release explains, “Additionally, the two battery care profiles will allow users to choose the best battery care option based on their specific needs, which will help test and operate eVTOL aircraft more efficiently and effectively.”
An impressed Pat Candelaria, an Agility Prime Program Manager, commented, “This is a great example of how the Air Force is collaborating with the industrial base and the small business community to foster innovation and accelerate the development of transformative vertical lift capabilities. We are excited to see the potential applications of eVTOL aircraft for both military and civilian missions, and we look forward to continuing our partnership with this community in the future.”
The Program collaborates with the small business community through the Department of the Air Force Small Business Innovation Research and Small Business Technology Transition schemes to advance the eVTOL industry.
Last September, AFWERX and BETA Technologies broke ground on the first electric aircraft charging station on a military installation at Duke Field, Florida. A month later AFWERX officials and local media witnessed one of the quietest Air Force aircraft flyovers ever, when BETA’s ALIA electric aircraft made several low passes over the airfield at Flordia’s Eglin AFB.
Candelaria said the Air Force’s interest in eVTOL aircraft “has several applications including medical evacuation, firefighting, civil and military disaster relief, search and rescue, and humanitarian relief.”
He also mentioned other benefits such as zero-emission aviation, quiet noise profiles and eventually cost savings to operate and maintain its fleet without dependency on traditional fossil fuels.
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