Powering the Future of Military Aviation

The Department of Defense (DoD) is investing heavily in next-generation aircraft technologies to maintain air dominance, enhance operational flexibility, and ensure resilience in an evolving threat landscape. To drive innovation and prepare for missions across the full spectrum of conflict and political scenarios, the DoD is actively collaborating with private-sector leaders to develop new capabilities.

High speed, runway-independent, and autonomous aircraft features are at the forefront of these efforts, with hybrid-electric propulsion emerging as a critical enabler for increasing endurance, efficiency and range.

VerdeGo Aero Pushes What’s Possible

VerdeGo’s transformative hybrid-electric propulsion systems promise far-reaching improvements to one of the biggest challenges of electrified flight: energy storage. Many of the most compelling next-generation drones and aircraft require electrification to make the design of the aircraft feasible. Blending electrification with conventional propulsion (hybrid powerplants) offers a means of leveraging high-energy liquid fuels in next-generation airframes, that can still leverage the existing infrastructure for JP-8 and Jet-A.

This has empowered the VerdeGo team to push what’s possible for the military’s next generation aircraft. VerdeGo’s VH-5 ultra-high-performance hybrid turbofan technology delivers energy conversion unlike any solution on the market today. This powerplant addresses the future HSVTOL (high speed vertical takeoff and landing), needs for multiple branches of the DOD and enables new aircraft designs that offer performance far beyond conventional solutions such as the V-22 Osprey. The VH-5 can deliver direct jet thrust for efficient, high-speed, wing-born forward flight and/or massive amounts of electrical power for eVTOL operations or other on-board high power electrical system use from the same prime mover engine.

Enhancing Mission Endurance and Operational Reach

The VH-5 Blended Turbofan hybrid-electric powerplant also offers excellent advantages that enable aircraft to loiter longer, conduct multiple sorties without refueling, and operate in remote areas. They power a diverse range of military applications, including:

HSVTOL (high speed vertical takeoff and landing), eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing), and eSTOL (electric short takeoff and landing) aircraft for rapid deployment in contested environments
Cargo drones for tactical resupply and logistics
ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) missions
Aeromedical evacuation and search and rescue operations

Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) Powered by VH-5:

DoD Innovation in Next-Generation Aircraft

To accelerate innovation, multiple DoD agencies have launched initiatives to encourage leading innovators such as VerdeGo to be ready with the technologies required for missions that go beyond the capabilities of existing aircraft.

The U.S. Air Force issued the HSVTOL (High Speed Vertical Takeoff and Landing) Concept Challenge for a replacement for the CV-22 Osprey, capable of executing infiltration, tactical mobility, and aeromedical missions at 400 knots. Meanwhile, DARPA and U.S. Special Operations Command’s SPRINT program is advancing runway-independent technology through an X-plane program, and the USAF’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft initiative is developing AI-powered autonomous, uncrewed aircraft to complement crewed fighter jets.

A Proven Innovation Partner

A trusted partner with multiple DoD agencies, VerdeGo is pioneering hybrid-electric propulsion systems to meet the needs of next-generation military aircraft. AFWERX, the innovation arm of the U.S. Air Force known for identifying and accelerating groundbreaking technologies, has awarded VerdeGo Aero multiple development contracts dating back to 2022. These programs have accelerated the maturity of the VH-3 and VH-4T hybrid powerplants, to prepare these dual-use powerplants for use in military missions that require electrification and performance simultaneously.

Beyond its work with the Air Force, NASA has also recognized VerdeGo Aero’s dual-use hybrid technology, exploring the integration of the VH-3 hybrid-electric powerplant in multiple aircraft designs.

Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification (CMMC)

VerdeGo Aero is committed to safeguarding sensitive unclassified information shared by the Department of Defense and is actively working with compliance experts as it establishes its Cybersecurity Maturity Model Certification. As one of the earliest small aerospace companies to focus on implementing the IT, HR, and facilities upgrades required to comply with these critical DOD requirements, this initiative demonstrates VerdeGo’s commitment to cybersecurity and positions the company as a trusted partner for sensitive commercial and defense-related projects.

Defense