Electric Aircraft Startup Seeks Defense Contracts with Hybrid-Electric Design

Electra Aviation has unveiled its EL9 plane, a hybrid-electric aircraft designed for ultra-short takeoff and landing capabilities. The company is courting the Pentagon as a new customer, citing the need for runway independence or agnosticism in military operations. With a planned prototype flight in late 2027 or early 2028, Electra hopes to certify the EL9 with the FAA by 2029. The aircraft features fly-by-wire controls and could act as a mobile power station for other systems.