A California-based eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle manufacturer, Jump Aero, has entered into a partnership with the Calhoun County Emergency Management Service in Texas to trial its emergency response flying vehicle in rural communities.
The announcement noted, “The county spans barrier islands with poor road access, is in a geographic area susceptible to disaster incidents, and includes many remote and rural communities.” The collaboration aims to address the issue of delayed ambulance arrivals, which can significantly impact emergency outcomes. By enabling skilled first responders to fly directly to emergency scenes, Jump Aero’s JA1 Pulse vehicle is expected to enhance response times and potentially save lives in Calhoun County.
Last year, Jump Aero secured $3.6 million in contracts from the U.S. Air Force to expedite the development of its technology, including funding for the first full-scale prototype. The Air Force Research Laboratory, a key scientific research and development center for the U.S. Air Force, is backing this initiative, with the vehicle promising speeds of up to 285 mph.
The first orders for the JA1 Pulse eVTOL came from Falck Ambulance Service, an international first-response company operating in 26 countries. In Texas, Jump Aero and Calhoun County plan to explore potential funding opportunities through grants and federal programs to support the trial.
Jump Aero’s president and CEO, Carl Dietrich, stated, “We are excited to find such a great partner for our demo operations. The data we gather from initial deployment will drive our long-term operations and will provide crucial lessons learned to bring us that much closer to saving lives of rural Americans.”
In addition to the Texas partnership, Jump Aero previously signed an agreement with the Oregon Department of Aviation to assess how to deploy the JA1 for rural populations in Oregon. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to establish first responder eVTOLs across the U.S., including a prior agreement with the Utah Department of Transportation to evaluate the number of Jump JA1 Pulse eVTOLs needed for effective statewide emergency response.
Further expanding its reach, Jump Aero has received an order for 10 eVTOLs from a venture firm in Australia, aimed at enhancing emergency medical response in remote rural areas. Electro Ventures, a company focused on sustainable innovation, has been collaborating with Jump Aero and intends to represent the company across the Asia-Pacific region.
As the demand for electric aerial vehicles (EAVs) grows, their potential applications in first responder services continue to expand. For instance, Volocopter, a Germany-based flying vehicle company, has partnered with Bristow Group in Houston, Texas, to develop urban air mobility ecosystems, including search and rescue operations.
