U.S. Air Force Awards Electra $4.7 Million for Hybrid-Electric Aircraft Testing
Electra Defense has secured a $4.7 million contract from the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory (AFRL) to evaluate its EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft for military applications. The company announced the award on November 9, 2026.
The contract will fund ground and flight testing of the EL9’s propulsion systems and overall aircraft performance. Designed to carry nine passengers, the aircraft is built for ultra-short takeoff and landing (STOL) operations. This capability could help the Air Force access austere, unprepared airstrips that conventional aircraft cannot use.
The initiative aims to demonstrate how hybrid-electric technology could address critical Air Force logistical challenges and enable new operational capabilities.
Donn Yates, Vice President and General Manager of Electra Defense, called the award “an important step in demonstrating how hybrid-electric aircraft technology can address some of the Air Force’s most pressing operational challenges.” He added that “power and propulsion are fundamental to unlocking new capabilities for military aviation.”
The development marks a significant crossover between general aviation technology and defense applications—a trend that is accelerating across the industry.
Source: AVweb — Air Force Awards Electra $4.7 Million for Hybrid-Electric Aircraft Testing