A multi-state initiative designed to evaluate next-generation aircraft capabilities commenced its initial testing phase Thursday at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport in far north Fort Worth. The project, known as Project Nexus, aims to gather real-world data on electric and autonomous flight technologies that could eventually support urban air taxi services, cargo logistics, and emergency medical response operations.
The program was authorized in March by U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy and the Federal Aviation Administration, granting the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) permission to conduct the trials. The first phase focuses on traditional aircraft, including helicopters and fixed-wing planes, alongside newer models, to validate routes and collect safety data without carrying passengers.
During the kickoff event at AllianceTexas, several manufacturers and operators demonstrated their aircraft. TxDOT Executive Director Marc Williams stated the agency is proud to lead transportation innovation by building a framework for how electric aircraft might one day connect people and goods across Texas. The testing will expand across the state and the nation in subsequent phases.
U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy emphasized that the administration is empowering innovators to build and test these aircraft within the United States, marking a step toward reshaping how people and products move. Texas Transportation Commissioner Steven D. Alvis added that the project places Texas at the forefront of aviation transformation, supported by Governor Greg Abbott’s vision for a more connected future.
Senator Ted Cruz attended the launch, thanking President Donald Trump and Secretary Duffy for their leadership. He noted that testing these technologies in Texas helps push boundaries and will strengthen supply chains while expanding access to jobs and services.
