On September 19, 2023, AFWERX and BETA Technologies achieved a historic milestone by breaking ground on the military's first electric aircraft charging station at Duke Field. This Level 3 direct current electric vehicle fast charging station is set to revolutionize electric aviation.

The station's construction is expected to conclude on October 13, 2023, just in time for the arrival of BETA's electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for testing. Level 3 charging, which takes only minutes, is essential for making electric aviation commercially and militarily viable. To support this high-powered charging station, Duke Field had to upgrade its power grid, acquiring a 1000-kilowatt volt-amp transformer. This ensures consistent electricity flow, and the station's power capacity can simultaneously power roughly 250 homes.

Duke Field's strategic location, 10 miles north of Eglin Air Force Base, was chosen for testing eVTOL aircraft. The field is home to the Air Force's rotary wing test squadron, the 413th Flight Test Squadron, making it an ideal testing ground. AFWERX's partnership with the eVTOL commercial industry aims to bring zero-emission aviation to the military, reduce noise profiles, and save costs. As electric aviation technology advances, it promises not only to transform military operations but also to contribute to a more sustainable future.

The construction of the first-ever electric aircraft charging station on a military installation at Duke Field represents a bold step forward in aviation technology, with Level 3 charging capabilities shaping the future of electric aviation.

Source: af.mil