Electra wins $1.9M Army deal for battlefield-ready electric aircraft

Electra.aero has secured a $1.9 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract from the U.S. Army to advance its hybrid-electric powertrain and propulsion systems, focusing on the development of the EL9 aircraft. Building on the successful EL2 demonstrator—which demonstrated ultra-short takeoff and landing (Ultra-STOL) capabilities in under 150 feet—the EL9 is a nine-passenger aircraft designed for operation from short, rugged airstrips in austere environments. The hybrid-electric technology aims to reduce fuel dependency, enable quieter operations, enhance mobility, and provide mobile power generation, all critical for contested logistics and battlefield scenarios. Under the 18-month agreement, Electra will conduct technology maturation, risk reduction, flight tests, modeling, and operational analysis to evaluate the tactical benefits and fuel savings of hybrid-electric propulsion. The EL9 combines fixed-wing efficiency with vertical-like access, offering operational flexibility for military and commercial applications. This contract marks the sixth awarded by the Army to