Pentagon tests autonomous cargo in the Pacific
Joby Aviation has demonstrated its Superpilot autonomous flight technology during the US Department of Defense’s Resolute Force Pacific (Reforpac) exercise. A modified Cessna Caravan 208, equipped with Superpilot, logged more than 11,800 km and 43 flight hours over the Pacific and Hawaii, remotely managed from Andersen Air Force Base in Guam. Missions included rapid cargo deliveries, inter-island transport and ISR profiles, flown under both visual and instrument rules.
"The exercise demonstrated Superpilot’s ability to operate in complex, real-world scenarios with the precision and reliability demanded by the US government," said Greg Bowles, Joby’s chief policy officer. The Pentagon has requested USD 9.4 billion for autonomous and hybrid aircraft in FY26, positioning Joby to compete for future defence programmes while advancing the integration of autonomy into its air taxi platform. (ah)