Electra.aero has received a $1.9 million Small Business Innovation Research contract from the U.S. Army to advance the research and development of hybrid-electric powertrain, power and propulsion systems (HEPPS).

The contract supports Electra’s development of its EL9 aircraft, a nine-passenger ultra-short takeoff and landing (Ultra-STOL) platform. Over 18 months, Electra will complete six core tasks including a trade study, operational analysis, modelling and simulation, flight test and evaluation of HEPPS.

Insights and test data will help the Army understand operational procedures, trade-offs and benefits associated with hybrid-electric systems.

“This work gives the Army a clear path forward in understanding how hybrid-electric technologies can support real operational demands, while enabling entirely new logistics capabilities,” says Donn Yates, Electra’s vice president of government programmes.

Electra's EL2 prototype has already demonstrated ultra-short takeoffs and landings in under 150 feet. The EL9 will allow operations from helicopter-sized clearings while offering fixed-wing safety, range and efficiency.

The award marks the sixth Army contract awarded to Electra. The company previously flew a NASA Administrator on its EL2, one of the few clean-sheet hybrid-electric aircraft ever built and flown.