Joby and L3Harris will fly military VTOL aircraft this year

Driving the news: Paul Sciarra, Joby's executive chairman, told Axios the aircraft is designed with contested logistics, counter-drone and electronic warfare applications in mind.

• "We and L3 both think something that is smaller; something that has adaptable payloads for a wide range of mission types, just like helicopters do; and something that has the ability to go full autonomous and work in collaboration with other assets is very likely the future of low-altitude aviation across the branches," he said.

Zoom in: It's the first time the two companies are working together on an effort like this.

• Joby brings its aircraft development and manufacturing capabilities to the table. L3Harris brings its sensing, communications and autonomy expertise.
• Sciarra, Joby's first outside investor, described L3Harris as an "especially nimble prime." It's the 10th largest defense contractor in the world when ranked by defense-related revenue, according to Defense News analysis.

Zoom out: Demand for drones and other smart machinery is only growing. The Russia-Ukraine war is accelerating government purchases and industry investment.

• Joby last summer acquired the autonomy division of Xwing, which previously conducted autonomous cargo delivery for the Air Force using a modified Cessna.

The bottom line: "The next-generation of vertical lift technology enables long-range, crewed-uncrewed teaming for a range of missions," Jon Rambeau, L3Harris' president of integrated mission systems, said in a statement.

• "We share a vision with Joby to deliver urgently required innovation by missionizing VTOL aircraft for defense needs."

Go deeper: Archer and Anduril are "deep in the work" on secretive VTOL aircraft