One Aircraft.

Any Mission. Anywhere.

OnwardAir is developing the Vertex VTOL and modular FLEX Pods—our patented, multi-mission aviation system designed to maximize aircraft utilization, reduce cost per mile, and unlock new logistics and operational capabilities.

Designed to Fly More.

Earn More. Sit Less.

OnwardAir is engineered as a unified platform that minimizes downtime and maximizes revenue—allowing operators to define missions, swap roles, and keep aircraft in the air.

Vertex VOLTTM is amodular aircraft built around quick-release FLEX PodsTM, supporting multiple missions and revenue streams through rapid reconfiguration.

Versatile payload integration system enabling seamless mission adaptability. Deploy sensors, communication equipment, or specialized tools with quick-connect functionality for multi-role operational flexibility.
Advanced aerial mobility platform engineered for extended range and endurance. Intelligent flight management and autonomous capabilities ensure reliable performance across diverse operational environments and mission profiles.

Revolutionizing middle-mile logistics

Vertex VTOL and modular FLEX Pods allow operators to define missions dynamically—running cargo, medical, or specialty operations within the same day, using the same aircraft. Instead of aircraft dictating operations, operators decide how assets are used. The result is faster response, broader mission coverage, and fundamentally better economics across the middle mile.

≤ 15 min

Turnaround Time

1,000+ lb

Payload Capacity

150 - 400+ nm

Hybrid range

Utilization isn’t a side effect. It’s the business model.

Vertex VTOL:
Built to Perform
Where Others Can’t

A New Class of Heavy-Lift VTOL
Range Up to 400+ nm (hybrid mode)
Payload Capacity 1,000+ lbs of useful load
Rapid deployment with minimal downtime
Advanced Flight Controls: Proprietary 4-DoF system for safety and precision

Built for Missions Without Borders

Designed to operate across regions, climates, and mission profiles—wherever the demand requires.

FLEX Pods:

The Key to Continuous Operations

Modular design for rapid mission adaptability and maximum aircraft utilization.
Pod Swap Time: ≤ 15 minutes
Supports multiple mission types without airframe changes
Energy and payload all in one pod for seamless operations
Utilization Rate Increased flight hours per day, maximizing ROI

One Platform. Multiple Missions.

Vertex VTOL and FLEX Pods enable rapid transitions between mission types without
reconfiguring the aircraftor grounding operations.

Direct, point-to-point cargo delivery with rapid pod swaps that keep aircraft flying and costs low.

Critical medical supply transport and emergency equipment delivery when time is essential. Configurable pods enable rapid deployment of life-saving resources to remote or inaccessible locations.
Critical medical supply transport and emergency equipment delivery when time is essential. Configurable pods enable rapid deployment of life-saving resources to remote or inaccessible locations.
Rapid deployment of essential supplies, medical equipment, and aid to disaster-affected areas. Overcome infrastructure damage and access challenges with flexible aerial logistics that scale to crisis demands.
Efficient distribution hub connectivity and regional freight movement. Bridge gaps in logistics networks with cost-effective aerial transport that reduces ground dependency and accelerates delivery timelines.
Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities with mission-specific payload configurations. Tactical cargo transport and sensor deployment supporting defense operations with enhanced situational awareness and operational reach.

Safety by Design

At OnwardAir, safety isn’t just a priority—it’s our foundation. The Vertex VTOL hybrid-electric aircraft is engineered from the ground up with a multi-layered approach to occupant protection:

Decoupling lift systems from forward propulsion eliminates single points of dependency and enables controlled flight in the event of a system failure.

Redundancy embedded across critical systems increases fault tolerance and prevents single-point failures.

Real-time monitoring enables rapid decision-making to support emergency landings and collision avoidance.

An additional safeguard capable of bringing the entire aircraft safely to the ground in extreme scenarios.

The Vertex VTOL™ can operate from traditional runways, adding an additional layer of operational flexibility and safety.

Our mission is simple: every occupant returns safely to the ground—every single flight.

Minds Behind OnwardAir

OnwardAir is led by a deeply experienced team of engineers, pilots, operators, and advisors with backgrounds spanning advanced aircraft development, human spaceflight, defense programs, and mission-critical aviation systems.

Build the Future of Flight

If solving hard problems and making real-world impact excites you, we’d like to hear from you.

Open Position's

Chief Systems Engineer

Flight Systems · Texas / Hybrid

The Chief Systems Engineer at OnwardAir will lead the systems engineering program for the Vertex VTOL hybrid electric aircraft, providing comprehensive technical oversight of all subsystems including propulsion, power management, flight controls, avionics, and structural integration. This role is responsible for defining and managing system architecture, establishing technical requirements, ensuring seamless integration of modular components, and maintaining configuration control throughout the development lifecycle. The Chief Systems Engineer will coordinate cross-disciplinary engineering teams, conduct system-level trade studies and analyses, manage technical risk, and ensure compliance with aviation certification standards and safety requirements. The ideal candidate will possess deep expertise in aircraft systems integration, hybrid-electric propulsion architectures, VTOL operations, and certification processes, with proven leadership experience guiding complex aerospace development programs from concept through flight testing and certification.

Aerospace Engineer (Flight Control)

Flight Systems · Texas / Hybrid

The Aerospace Engineer (Flight Control) at OnwardAir will be responsible for the development and refinement of the Vertex VTOL’s flight control systems, with emphasis on sensor fusion algorithms that integrate data from multiple sources to provide robust state estimation and situational awareness. This role involves designing, implementing, and validating guidance, navigation, and control (GNC) algorithms to ensure stable and responsive aircraft performance across all flight regimes, including hover, transition, and cruise modes. The engineer will also lead the maturation of OnwardAir’s advanced pilot flight control joystick, developing intuitive control interfaces, haptic feedback systems, and fly-by-wire logic that enhance pilot workload management and aircraft handling qualities. The ideal candidate will possess strong expertise in control theory, Kalman filtering, embedded systems programming, and flight dynamics, with hands-on experience in flight control system development, simulation validation, and flight test support for VTOL or advanced aircraft platforms.

Electrical Engineer (Power Systems)

Flight Systems · Texas / Hybrid

The Electrical Engineer (Power Systems) at OnwardAir will be responsible for the refinement and optimization of the Vertex VTOL’s high voltage electrical power distribution and management system, ensuring reliable and efficient power delivery from the hybrid powerplant to electric propulsion motors, flight-critical avionics, and auxiliary systems. This role involves designing power distribution architectures, selecting and integrating high voltage components including battery management systems, inverters, converters, and protection devices, while ensuring compliance with aerospace safety standards and electromagnetic compatibility requirements. The engineer will conduct detailed electrical analyses including load profiling, fault scenarios, thermal management, and system efficiency optimization, as well as support ground testing and flight test validation activities. The ideal candidate will possess strong expertise in high voltage electrical systems, power electronics, battery technology, and aircraft electrical architecture, with experience in hybrid-electric propulsion systems, DO-160 compliance, and the unique challenges of VTOL aircraft power management.

Your Questions, Answered

Everything you need to know about OnwardAir.

OnwardAir is an aerospace innovation company revolutionizing tactical resupply and middle-mile logistics. We are the creators of the Vertex VTOLTM, a modular aircraft platform designed under the philosophy: “One Aircraft. Any Mission. Anywhere.” Led by veteran NASA astronaut and CEO Scott Parazynski, MD, our team combines decades of experience in aerospace, military aviation, and automated logistics. 

The core differentiator is our FLEX PodTM modularity. Unlike traditional static aircraft, the Vertex VTOLTM can transform for different mission profiles—cargo, medical, or tactical—in minutes. Key technical advantages include:  

  • FLEX Ground Support Vehicles: Maximize aircraft utilization by minimizing downtime. 
  • Proprietary Lift Fans: 30% more efficient than standard counterparts. 
  • Combat-Grade Materials: Designed for survivability in demanding environments. 
  • Small Footprint: Novel deployable aerosurfaces allow for operation from a “2-car garage apron,” accessing tight landing zones that helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft cannot reach. 
Traditional aircraft struggle to reach austere forward operating bases (FOBs) without significant infrastructure or risk. The Vertex VTOTM is purpose-built for: 
  • Tactical Resupply: Delivering cargo to inaccessible locations with reduced noise and energy signatures. 
  • Austere Operations: Capable of Arctic to Tropical temperature ranges and day/night VFR operations. 
  • Aeromedical Evacuation: Air ambulance and critical medical resupply are possible with a specially outfitted FLEX PodTM. 
  • Reconnaissance: We are deepening military partnerships to use our 1/3 scale eVTOLs for reconnaissance and logistics, offering high mission effectiveness with minimal risk.
Yes. The modular fuselage is compatible with MEDEVAC configurations. Our platform ensures that medical extraction capabilities are available in environments where traditional air ambulances cannot safely land, supported by a leadership team with deep aeromedical evacuation expertise.  What are the performance specifications for the Vertex VTOLTM? 
  • Range: 150 nm (eVTOL mode) / 400+ nm (hVTOL mode) 
  • Endurance: 1 hour + 15′ reserve (eVTOL) / 3+ hours (hVTOL) 
  • Airspeed: 120+ KIAS 
  • Survivability: Rugged construction for high survivability 

We prioritize seamless integration. Our modular fuselage is optimized for standard shipping containers, allowing our aircraft to slot directly into existing ground and warehouse workflows. We utilize AI-driven logistics analytics for route optimization and automated systems for quick loading/unloading to ensure fast turnaround times. 

Reliability is central to our design. We aim to conduct advanced weather resilience testing to ensure all-weather, year-round operation, even to remote destinations. This reliability is critical for time-sensitive commercial logistics and emergency medical services. 

OnwardAir is positioned to revolutionize middle-mile logistics by connecting major distribution hubs to difficult-to-reach end points. By bypassing traditional infrastructure bottlenecks, we offer partners significant efficiency gains and cost reductions in logistics networks. 

OnwardAir leverages a Dual-Use Tech Advantage, de-risking investment by serving two massive, growing markets simultaneously: 

  1. Defense Logistics: A $47.8 billion annual market with increasing demand for austere environment capabilities. 
  1. Commercial eVTOL: A market projected to grow from $4.28B (2025) to $170.6B by 2034 (54.95% CAGR). 

We have built a robust defensive moat around our technology: 

  • 25+ Issued Patents with multiple provisional patents filed and non-provisional applications in queue 
  • 30+ New Technology areas under advanced development 
  • Significant IP covering Motion Control (Patented 4-DoF controller), automated logistics integration, and surgical robotics applications. 

We are capitalizing on strong regulatory tailwinds, including recent FAA powered-lift rules and the 2025 eVTOL Integration Pilot Program. As a “Fast Follower” to early air taxi companies, we benefit from their regulatory groundwork while deploying a more versatile, logistics-first platform with immediate military applications. 

How can I learn more? 

Strategic investors may request an NDA to access detailed technology specifications and partnership opportunities. 

Partner with OnwardAir

Whether you’re an operator, investor, supplier, or strategic partner, we’d like to hear from you.
Reach out and explore how we can transform aviation together.