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

Verified

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 accelerate the development of its full-scale electric Short Takeoff and Landing (eSTOL) prototype aircraft.
The eSTOL is a hybrid aircraft designed for extreme operational flexibility, capable of taking off and landing in very small spaces like soccer pitches.
It aims to provide crucial logistical support for the Air Force's dispersed units and has already received over 1,000 commercial orders for various missions.

See a mistake? Contact us.

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.