By SPEAKIN’ OUT NEWS
A new era of transportation that blends roadway travel with vertical flight may soon take shape — and Huntsville is playing a key role in making it possible.
The University of Alabama in Huntsville (UAH) has signed a memorandum of understanding with California-based aerospace company ASKA to collaborate on research and development of hybrid-electric, autonomous drive-and-fly vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft.
The agreement establishes a partnership between UAH’s Rotorcraft Systems Engineering and Simulation Center (RSESC) and ASKA, a developer of next-generation aerial mobility platforms. Together, researchers and engineers will explore advancements in battery systems, electric propulsion, simulation environments, safety technologies and autonomous flight controls.
“This agreement represents an important step toward advancing the development of safe, efficient and autonomous aerial mobility solutions,” said Guy Kaplinsky, CEO of ASKA. “By working with UAH’s Rotorcraft Systems Engineering and Simulation Center, we aim to combine cutting-edge research with real-world development.”
The collaboration also includes pursuing U.S. Department of Defense-aligned initiatives and international opportunities. ASKA recently secured a project in Singapore, where the nation’s island geography provides a testing environment for missions such as medical evacuation and distributed logistics — applications relevant to Indo-Pacific operations.
UAH officials say the university’s strengths in autonomy, uncrewed aircraft systems and Federal Aviation Administration integration make it a natural partner in advancing next-generation air mobility.
“The UAH RSESC performs a wide variety of autonomous aerospace research, and we are excited about this partnership,” said Jerry Hendrix, director of RSESC/A2R. “Let’s make the future happen!”
The memorandum also outlines workforce development and educational initiatives designed to prepare students for leadership roles in advanced aerospace technologies, reinforcing Huntsville’s reputation as a hub for innovation in both defense and commercial aviation sectors.