The 18-month contract is designed to help the Army assess the potential of hybrid-electric technology to enhance the performance of its current and future aviation platforms. Electra will leverage its expertise to conduct a series of technology maturation and risk reduction activities. These will include trade studies, operational analysis, modeling, simulation, and flight tests centered on the propulsion system for its in-development EL9 aircraft, a nine-passenger ultra-short takeoff and landing (Ultra-STOL) vehicle.
Donn Yates, Electra’s Vice President of Government Programs, stated that the initiative provides the Army with a practical framework for understanding how hybrid-electric systems can meet operational needs. He emphasized that Electra’s Ultra-STOL design can redefine military logistics by operating from small, unimproved sites, reducing fuel consumption, and increasing tactical flexibility for commanders.
Electra’s flight testing has already demonstrated its technology’s capability, with the EL2 prototype achieving ultra-short takeoffs and landings in under 150 feet. The larger EL9 is envisioned to operate quietly from helicopter-sized zones in austere environments, offering new contested logistics and agile basing options while maintaining the safety and range of a traditional fixed-wing aircraft.
This award marks the sixth contract Electra has received from the U.S. Army, underscoring a continued partnership focused on maturing its innovative Ultra-STOL technology for defense applications.
