Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and Electra.aero are expanding their strategic partnership to accelerate the commercialization of Electra’s EL9 hybrid-electric Ultra-Short Takeoff and Landing (Ultra-STOL) aircraft, a move signaling growing interest in alternative aviation solutions for both military and civilian applications.
Announced during the Paris Air Show on June 19, 2025, the Memorandum of Understanding outlines collaboration on critical development areas, including digital engineering, supply chain coordination, manufacturing optimization, and long-term sustainment. The partnership also includes a joint assessment of potential U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) and global customer programs where the EL9 could fulfill unique operational needs.
Electra’s EL9 aircraft offers a compelling mix of fixed-wing efficiency and vertical takeoff functionality. Designed to operate on just 150 feet of unimproved terrain, the aircraft fills a gap in austere access and logistics—a capability in high demand as global defense strategies shift toward more agile and distributed operations.
With a payload capacity of 1,000 pounds and a range of 1,000 miles, the EL9 can serve missions ranging from last-mile delivery and emergency response to power generation and battlefield mobility. For defense agencies seeking resilient, low-noise, and rapidly deployable systems, the hybrid-electric EL9 offers a low-operating-cost alternative to helicopters and eVTOLs—without compromising range or safety.
“Lockheed Martin’s breadth of manufacturing, supply chain and military customer expertise is the perfect complement to Electra’s EL9 commercialization strategy,” said Marc Allen, CEO of Electra. “This relationship will accelerate our speed to market to bring the EL9’s transformative capabilities to our military customers.”
The partnership builds on a prior investment: Lockheed Martin Ventures contributed to Electra’s Series A funding round in 2022. This latest agreement marks a transition from financial backing to more direct involvement in product development and customer deployment pathways.
“Electra has driven significant innovation in the hybrid-electric space, and we’re excited to collaborate with them to accelerate their development,” added OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works.
The collaboration comes as government agencies and defense contractors increase investment in lower-emission aviation technologies that align with both sustainability goals and battlefield agility. Notably, Electra’s current customer base already includes NASA, the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force, alongside over 2,200 commercial aircraft under Letters of Intent.
Electra’s approach, dubbed “Direct Aviation,” seeks to make air travel more accessible by eliminating the dependency on traditional airports. This decentralized air mobility aligns with broader clean energy and transportation trends, especially as the aviation sector confronts mounting pressure to decarbonize.
According to a recent report by McKinsey & Company, hybrid-electric propulsion systems could reduce fuel burn by up to 30% in short-haul missions. Electra claims their EL9 achieves 70% lower operating costs compared to helicopters and vertical takeoff vehicles, with far lower certification risks.
With Lockheed Martin now deepening its involvement, Electra may gain the operational scale, global reach, and credibility needed to bring hybrid-electric STOL technology to market faster—at a time when sustainable, distributed air mobility is no longer a futuristic concept but an immediate priority.
