UAE's Autonomous Aviation Ambitions Take Off with Successful Hili Flight

LODD Autonomous has completed the first flight of Hili, a hybrid VTOL cargo aircraft designed, built, and tested in Abu Dhabi. The milestone marks a significant step forward for the UAE’s autonomous aviation ambitions and represents the country’s capability to develop and deploy advanced logistics aircraft. LODD Autonomous, an autonomous aerospace company headquartered in Abu Dhabi, has announced new partnerships with Etihad Cargo, EMX, Skyports Drone Services, and ST Engineering’s Commercial Aerospace business to support the expansion of Hili’s capabilities. The company was founded in 2023 and has been developing next-generation autonomous systems for cargo logistics. The first flight took place at Emirates Falcon Aviation in Al Ain as part of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week, with CEO Rashid Al Manai describing it as a ‘defining moment’ for LODD and Abu Dhabi’s advanced aviation industry.