Electra Completes Flight Tests of Ultra Short Takeoff Aircraft for U.S. Military

The demonstrations, held at Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico and at Felker Army Airfield, showcased the aircraft’s dual-use capabilities for logistics operations in austere environments By Joe Macey / 26 Sep 2024
Ultra short aircraft by Electra
Follow AAMi

Electra has conducted successful flight demonstrations of its hybrid-electric Ultra Short prototype for military stakeholders.

The demonstrations, held at Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico and at Felker Army Airfield at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia, showcased the aircraft’s dual-use capabilities for logistics operations in austere environments.

The Ultra Short aircraft’s unique ability to take off and land in extremely short distances from minimally prepared areas was a focal point of the demonstrations. This enables rapid and flexible resupply missions in contested environments where traditional airstrips may be unavailable or compromised. The demo flights included takeoffs and landings from grass fields, demonstrating austere operations off-runway without the need for ground support infrastructure. Electra Chief Test Pilot Cody Allee flew tight 150-foot radius turns to showcase the aircraft’s low-altitude, low-speed maneuverability, further emphasizing the plane’s survivability in complex military scenarios.

The demos included a mobile power generation display, during which the pre-flight presentation equipment and sound system were powered directly from the airplane.  As a mobile power generator, the production aircraft will offer over 600 kW of continuous power and more than 1 MW for short bursts, making it a versatile asset for a variety of military missions, from tactical insertions to medical evacuations. Electra’s Ultra Short aircraft also provides significant operational energy advantages, with fuel consumption that is one-third that of helicopters performing similar missions. Electra’s aircraft are positioned to support operations in remote locations with minimal infrastructure, potentially operating from ships and barges.

Jacob Wilson, AFWERX Agility Prime acting branch chief, said; “AFWERX is committed to supporting the accelerated development of the dual-use Ultra Short technology. This aircraft’s efficient, quiet, and sustainable operations align with military objectives for contested and expeditionary logistics.

“Its hybrid-electric propulsion system provides extended range and endurance, making it suitable for Agile Combat Employment missions in austere locations with compromised or nonexistent runways.

JP Stewart, Vice President and General Manager of Electra, added; “These flight demonstrations mark a significant milestone for Electra as we show the capabilities of the technology in the real-world. Our Ultra Short aircraft make it possible to operate from austere locations previously only reachable by helicopters, with 70 percent lower costs and very quiet operations. We’re excited to collaborate with our government partners to deliver a new level of capability and operational energy efficiency that aligns with the future of defense logistics and mobility.”

Electra continues to expand the Ultra Short aircraft flight envelope during the ongoing flight test campaign. The technology demonstrator is providing critical data to inform the development of Electra’s nine-passenger piloted production aircraft, which is being developed under an active STRATFI contract with AFWERX.

Posted by Joe Macey Edited by Joseph Macey, Editor and Copywriter and experienced journalist with an active interest in advanced air mobility. Connect & Contact

Latest Articles

LYNEports Collaborates to Accelerate Sustainable UAM Solutions Worldwide

LYNEports is partnering with Eyrie Aero and ELSA Industry to accelerate worldwide UAM through AI-driven vertiport planning, green hydrogen integration, and scalable eVTOL infrastructure solutions

Jul 11, 2025
Flying Car Owners to Gain Access to New Pilot Training Program

Samson Sky has revealed plans for a pilot training program for Switchblade Flying Car customers and those who just want to earn their 'wings'

Jul 10, 2025
ARC Aerosystems Partnership to Accelerate VTOL Introduction in Japan

AirMobility and ARC Aerosystems have signed an MoU, collaborating to expand ARC’s VTOL aircraft, including the Pegasus 3, and AAM solutions in Japan

Jul 08, 2025
Archer Completes Initial Midnight eVTOL Flight in Abu Dhabi

Archer has launched flight testing of its Midnight eVTOL in Abu Dhabi, advancing certification efforts and preparing for commercial air taxi services in the UAE

Jul 07, 2025
SkyDrive Raises Major Funding to Strengthen eVTOL Certification & Development Efforts

SkyDrive has raised ¥8.3 billion in Pre-Series D funding, led by MUFG Bank and major transport firms, to advance its SD-05 eVTOL aircraft certification

Jul 07, 2025
Skyfly Completes First Airfield-to-Airfield eVTOL Flight in Europe

Skyfly Technologies has completed what is reportedly Europe’s first airfield-to-airfield eVTOL flight using its Axe prototype, flying from Turweston to Bicester and back in a round trip

Jul 04, 2025