Photo above – Electra’s Ultra Short technology demonstrator takes off from a grass field during a flight demo at Felker Army Airfield at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia. Credit: Electra
Electra.aero, Inc. has announced successful flight demonstrations of its hybrid-electric Ultra Short prototype for military stakeholders. The demonstrations, held at Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico and at Felker Army Airfield at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia, showcased the aircraft’s dual-use capabilities for logistics operations in austere environments.
The Ultra Short aircraft’s unique ability to take off and land in extremely short distances from minimally prepared areas was a focal point of the demonstrations. This enables rapid and flexible resupply missions in contested environments where traditional airstrips may be unavailable or compromised. The demo flights included takeoffs and landings from grass fields, demonstrating austere operations off-runway without the need for ground support infrastructure. Electra Chief Test Pilot Cody Allee flew tight 150-foot radius turns to showcase the aircraft’s low-altitude, low-speed maneuverability, further emphasizing the plane’s survivability in complex military scenarios.
The demos included a mobile power generation display, during which the pre-flight presentation equipment and sound system were powered directly from the airplane. As a mobile power generator, the production aircraft will offer over 600 kW of continuous power and more than 1 MW for short bursts, making it a versatile asset for a variety of military missions, from tactical insertions to medical evacuations. Electra’s Ultra Short aircraft also provides significant operational energy advantages, with fuel consumption that is one-third that of helicopters performing similar missions. Electra’s aircraft are positioned to support operations in remote locations with minimal infrastructure, potentially operating from ships and barges.
“AFWERX is committed to supporting the accelerated development of the dual-use Ultra Short technology. This aircraft’s efficient, quiet, and sustainable operations align with military objectives for contested and expeditionary logistics,” said Jacob Wilson, AFWERX Agility Prime acting branch chief. “Its hybrid-electric propulsion system provides extended range and endurance, making it suitable for Agile Combat Employment missions in austere locations with compromised or nonexistent runways.
“These flight demonstrations mark a significant milestone for Electra as we show the capabilities of the technology in the real-world” said JP Stewart, Vice President and General Manager of Electra. “Our Ultra Short aircraft make it possible to operate from austere locations previously only reachable by helicopters, with 70 percent lower costs and very quiet operations. We’re excited to collaborate with our government partners to deliver a new level of capability and operational energy efficiency that aligns with the future of defense logistics and mobility.”
Electra continues to expand the Ultra Short aircraft flight envelope during the ongoing flight test campaign. The technology demonstrator is providing critical data to inform the development of Electra’s nine-passenger piloted production aircraft, which is being developed under an active STRATFI contract with AFWERX.
