Resource Hub The association has joined the effort to develop an autonomous rescue aircraft for lifesaving disaster response. Vertical Aviation International (VAI) has announced its support for the GoAERO Prize, a groundbreaking global competition with a lifesaving mission. The GoAERO Prize, organized by GoAERO (Aerial Emergency Response Operations), is a three-year initiative to develop the world’s first compact, autonomy-enabled rescue aircraft. This cutting-edge aircraft will revolutionize disaster response, enabling teams to reach people in need more quickly and more effectively. “VAI backs the GoAERO prize to further our commitment to developing lifesaving vertical aviation technologies,” says James Viola, president and CEO of VAI. “These versatile aircraft should be capable of reaching areas inaccessible by traditional means, providing critical aid in natural disasters, medical emergencies, and humanitarian crises.” Gwen Lighter, CEO of GoAERO, also expresses enthusiasm for the partnership: “We are thrilled to have VAI’s support for the GoAERO Prize. Their extensive experience in vertical aviation and their commitment to safety and innovation in the industry are invaluable to our mission. VAI’s backing strengthens our initiative and provides us with crucial insights that will accelerate the development of next-generation rescue aircraft. This collaboration marks a significant step forward in our goal to transform emergency-response capabilities worldwide.” The competition invites the brightest minds worldwide to design and build uncrewed emergency response flyers that can operate autonomously, navigate challenging environments, and perform vertical takeoffs and landings. The winning teams will have a significant impact on global emergency response efforts and can also receive more than $2 million in prizes. For more information about the GoAERO Prize or to form a team to participate, visit GoAEROprize.com.
