Hanneke Weitering is a writer and editor with AIN covering advanced air mobility and new flight technologies. She became an aviation journalist and joined the AIN team in the summer of 2022 after reporting on spaceflight and astronomy for six years at Space.com. After earning a bachelor’s degree in physics from the University of Tennessee, Knoxville, she moved to New York City to pursue a master’s degree in science, health, and environmental reporting at New York University&#039;s Arthur L. Carter Journalism Institute. She is now based in Seattle near Boeing Field and spends her free time exploring nature in the Pacific Northwest.

Science & Technology Editor

Hanneke Weitering

Joby Aviation appears to have flown a hydrogen-powered uncrewed aerial system (UAS) for nine hours straight during a June 30 mission at the ​​Pendleton UAS Range near Eastern Oregon Regional Airport (KPDT).
According to FlightAware ADS-B data—publicly available for a short time before Joby requested to be removed—an aircraft registered to Joby with the tail number N30FR was flying in circles about 2 miles northwest of KPDT from 10:46 a.m. to 7:54 p.m. on June 30. FlightAware’s data, screenshots of which were <a href="https://x.com/chriswaggoner2/status/1940369863580831780">shared on social media</a>, suggests the aircraft covered 467 miles, flying at an average speed of approximately 51 mph.&nbsp;
FAA records indicate that Joby registered N30FR on April 22, and the aircraft’s model is JAI30, with serial number 001. Joby has not said anything publicly about the JAI30, but according to the FAA registry, it’s a fixed-wing, multi-engine aircraft with an electric propulsion system.&nbsp;
Photos of N30FR captured by an investigative journalist with <a href="https://hntrbrk.com/joby/">Hunterbrook Media</a> show the aircraft parked outside a hangar at KPDT, surrounded by a team of crew members near what appears to be a hydrogen tank. The aircraft appears to be about the size of Joby’s eVTOL prototype, with a similar V-shaped tail but no vertical lift propellers mounted on the fixed wing.&nbsp;
Pictured behind the aircraft is a trailer emblazoned with an Xwing logo. The trailer appears to be the same <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2022-10-06/human-loop-my-ride-xwings-self-flying-aircraft">mobile mission control center</a> that Xwing has been using to test remotely piloted and autonomous flight operations with experimental, modified Cessna Grand Caravans for several years. <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-06-04/joby-aviation-acquires-autonomous-flight-pioneer-xwing">Joby acquired Xwing</a> in June 2024 and inherited several of Xwing’s defense contracts. It’s unclear whether Joby’s activities at KPDT are related to any of its existing defense contracts.

News and issues relating to civil and military unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and remotely piloted aircraft systems (RPAS) of all kinds and sizes, including those used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), combat (unmanned combat air vehicles, or UCAVs), law enforcement, research and other applications. Of particular focus is the FAA's planned integration of UAS into the U.S. national airspace system.

Joby Flies Uncrewed, Hydrogen-powered Aircraft for 9 Hours

Hybrid-electric JAI30 aircraft remains shrouded in secrecy

Joby Aviation appears to have flown a hydrogen-powered uncrewed aerial system for nine hours straight during a June 30 mission at the ​​Pendleton UAS Range near Eastern Oregon Regional Airport.

Joby Flies Hydrogen-powered UAS for 9 Hours

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

Company will inform standards for military autonomous collaborative platforms, including uncrewed air systems

U.S. Air Force Taps Reliable Robotics To Develop Autonomy Architecture

Customers can purchase Parrot's drone or add its AI Autopilot to their own UAVs.

Parrot Launches Military Drone for Ukraine Conflict, Plus AI Autopilot System for UAVs

Amy Wilder

News about bills, laws, regulations and other governmental decisions affecting aviation and aerospace. Topics include FAA re-authorizations, taxes on fuel and aviation activities, environmental legislation, ICAO decisions, governmental mediation of labor conflicts and World Trade Organization disputes and decisions.

News and information on safety procedures and concerns.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

Data suggests new rules needed as drone use expands

Drones Flying Too High, FAA-backed Study Finds

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

In this article

Joby Aviation

More In Unmanned Aerial Vehicles

U.S. Air Force Taps Reliable Robotics To Develop Autonomy Architecture

Company will inform standards for military autonomous collaborative platforms, including uncrewed air systems

Parrot Launches Military Drone for Ukraine Conflict, Plus AI Autopilot System for UAVs

Customers can purchase Parrot's drone or add its AI Autopilot to their own UAVs.

Drones Flying Too High, FAA-backed Study Finds

Data suggests new rules needed as drone use expands

Textron eAviation Expands Its Uncrewed Aircraft Family with Pipistrel’s Nuuva V300

Aircraft like this could change how cargo is transported.

Joby Flies Hydrogen-powered UAS for 9 Hours

Hydrogen-electric JAI30 aircraft remains shrouded in secrecy

Airo Group Will Open U.S. Drone Production Facility in IPO-backed Expansion

Company is seeking to capitalize on rising NATO and Pentagon defense spending

U.S. Air Force Evaluates MightyFly’s Cento Cargo Drone

Aircraft features patented Autonomous Load Mastering System

Thales, Skydweller Team on Solar-powered Surveillance UAV

Long-endurance drone adds artificial intelligence capabilities

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN