USAF Awards Electra $85M Contract for eSTOL Aircraft

The Virginia company designed a prototype able to operate from parking lots and soccer-fields.

Jonathan Welsh

Tuesday, January 31, 2023 at 03:11 PM ET

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Electra Aero is developing an eSTOL prototype aircraft for the U.S. Air Force. [Courtesy: Electra Aero]

Key Takeaways:

Electra Aero secured up to $85 million from the U.S. Air Force to develop a full-scale electric short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) prototype aircraft, combining government funding with private investment.
The eSTOL is a hybrid aircraft designed for operations from very small fields, offering helicopter-like flexibility with better fixed-wing performance and operating costs.
The Air Force sees the eSTOL as vital for logistics to dispersed units and supporting its Agile Combat Employment doctrine and carbon emission goals.
Electra's eSTOL is designed for diverse missions, including cargo, urban air mobility, and humanitarian aid, having already received over 1,000 orders.

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Electra Aero said it will receive up to $85 million under a U.S. Air Force funding program to support development of a full-scale electric short takeoff and landing, or eSTOL, prototype aircraft.

The Air Force award combines private investment, government funding, and matching Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) funding for Electra’s development of the new aircraft. The latest contract follows Electra’s six active Air Force SBIR and Small Business Technology Transfer (STTR) contracts that have funded development of eSTOL’s main characteristics, including distributed electric propulsion, blown lift aerodynamics, precision flight controls, and hybrid-electric powertrains.