The tactical case for hybrid-electric aircraft

The former head of the US Army says a new generation of hybrid-electric rotorcraft can provide significant tactical advantages over traditional helicopters, including faster flight speeds and increased range. General James McConville was the chief of staff of the US Army from 2019 to 2023. He’s also a seasoned rotary-wing aviator, having flown the Apache, Black Hawk, Kiowa and Cobra, among others. After retiring from the uniformed service, McConville joined the board of electric aircraft start-up Beta Technologies and helped shape development of the company’s MV250 – an unmanned, hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing design that represents Beta’s first dedicated military aircraft. McConville argues that hybrid-electric aircraft can offer significant tactical benefits compared to traditional helicopters, including increased range and flight speeds. In an interview with FlightGlobal at the 2026 Farnborough air show, McConville laid out why he chose to join Beta and how his military experience shaped the company’s design choices on the MV250.