The Electra EL9 is a short takeoff and landing hybrid-electric aircraft.
The Electra EL2 experimental aircraft in flight.
American company Electra Aero is focused on developing aircraft with improved takeoff and landing performance and fuel economy. It is currently working on a new model in this class—the hybrid-electric EL9 Ultra Short. This aircraft will begin testing in the foreseeable future, and is expected to enter serial production later. The developer has already received preliminary orders for this aircraft and is now anticipating interest from the US military.
Consistent development
Electra Aero was founded in 2020 in Manassas, Virginia. It was founded by several professionals with experience in major aircraft manufacturing companies. The company's primary goal was to develop advanced aircraft with improved flight, takeoff and landing performance, and fuel economy.
The company quickly developed its main plans and identified implementation paths. Since 2020, two new projects have been under development. aviation technologies with various features and capabilities. One such development involved the creation of a cargo-passenger aircraft with short takeoff and landing (STOL).
This project was designated EL2 and named Goldfinch. Its development continued until mid-2023, after which assembly of the prototype began. The new project was presented to the US Air Force, which was intrigued by the original concept, and since January 2023, Electra Aero has received government support.
The EL2 prototype aircraft first flew in November 2023. Several months were then spent testing the propulsion system's operating modes and defining its key performance characteristics. Demonstrations of key capabilities then began. In April-May 2024, the aircraft, using standard powertrain and operating modes, performed a level takeoff with a roll of just 52 meters. It then landed with a roll of 35 meters. During takeoff and landing, the speed did not exceed 45-46 km/h.
On a larger scale
The EL2 was essentially a technology demonstrator and could not solve practical problems. Therefore, development of a larger aircraft capable of carrying people or cargo began in 2023. This project was designated EL9 and nicknamed "Ultra Short"—the index and name reflecting its payload capacity and takeoff and landing capabilities.
The design concept of the EL9 passenger aircraft
In 2024, Electra Aero first published materials on the EL9 project. At the same time, agreements with manufacturers of various aircraft systems and components for future aircraft development became known. The company secured support from Honeywell, Lockheed Martin, and Safran.
According to news As of recently, the EL9 project is in the late stages of development. Electra Aero will soon begin building a prototype aircraft. Its first flight is scheduled for 2027. By the end of the decade, they aim to complete all necessary testing and obtain the necessary documentation for production and delivery.
Advertising campaign
A promotional campaign began in 2024. Materials about the Ultra-Short were displayed at various exhibitions. A full-scale mockup of the future aircraft was also shown. All these measures and efforts have paid off. The company recently announced that it has received pre-orders from more than 50 commercial companies worldwide. They may purchase a total of at least 2100 aircraft.
At the same time, Electra Aero is counting on interest from the Pentagon. A specialized department has been established within the company to work with the agency. This department aims to streamline cooperation with the Air Force and expedite the development of the military version of the EL9, as well as subsequent activities.
However, the military department is in no rush to award a contract for full-scale serial production of the new aircraft. Moreover, as far as is known, the EL9 was developed without any technical specifications from the Air Force and is not participating in any current competitive programs.
These factors clearly limit the aircraft's military potential. However, it's possible that the Pentagon will launch a new competition soon, and Electra Aero will submit its Ultra Short aircraft.
Architecture and layout of a hybrid power plant
The aircraft and its technologies
The EL series projects involve the construction of aircraft with improved takeoff and landing performance and fuel economy. Aircraft performance is enhanced through the use of a hybrid power plant and a specialized propulsion system. At the same time, the developer was able to achieve this without the need for fundamentally new solutions or components.
The EL9 is built using a conventional aerodynamic configuration and is externally similar to existing passenger aircraft of its size. It is designed to feature a stretched fuselage with a spacious passenger cabin. The airframe utilizes a high-mounted straight wing and a T-tail.
The EL9's geometric and weight specifications have not yet been disclosed. However, it is reported to be capable of carrying up to nine passengers or a cargo weight of over 1100 kg. This suggests a maximum takeoff weight of several tons.
Electra Aero has developed its own hybrid propulsion system. The aircraft's tail section is proposed to house an unspecified turboshaft engine connected to an electric generator. Energy storage batteries will be installed in the free space of the fuselage. The system will also include various converters, controllers, and other components.
The aircraft's wing houses eight compact nacelles, each housing its own electric motor and a tractor propeller. The propeller-motor units are designed so that air from the propellers actively blows over the wing. Together, the eight propellers cover almost the entire forward projection of the wing.
The airflow from the propellers should increase the speed of the air flowing over the wing. This should increase the lift generated by the wing. Essentially, the eight propellers should supplement or replace the oncoming airflow that lifts the aircraft.
Features of wing flow during takeoff and landing; flaps extended
According to calculations, an aircraft with a normal load and takeoff weight will take off with a takeoff roll of no more than 45-50 meters. The landing roll will be significantly shorter. However, these are only calculations for now, and they have not been confirmed in practice.
The developer promises the EL9 will be capable of reaching speeds of up to 325 km/h. Its operational range will exceed 610 km, and its ferry range will exceed 2000 km. The aircraft will fly at all altitudes that allow for efficient use of its propellers.
Solutions and their potential
It's clear that the proposed aircraft architecture has a number of strengths. These include the simplicity of the airframe and other systems, as well as the absence of overly complex and expensive solutions and components. Furthermore, the EL9 design makes maximum use of readily available components and systems. Only individual units had to be developed from scratch.
A series hybrid power plant should optimize fuel consumption and improve range and endurance. A combination of multiple electric motors should efficiently utilize the energy of liquid fuel combustion. This not only generates thrust but also improves the airframe's aerodynamic performance.
The idea of wing blowing to improve lift is not new—it has been implemented in various ways in the past in various projects. A distinctive feature of the Ultra-Short aircraft is the blowing of the maximum portion of the wing, which should produce a unique result.
As experiments with the EL2 aircraft demonstrated, this combination of wing and engines truly improves takeoff and landing performance. The aircraft remained airborne at extremely low speeds and did not require a large takeoff pad. It's clear what practical advantages such characteristics will bring.
However, the EL9 Ultra Short also has its own inherent drawbacks, directly related to its core design features. First and foremost is its increased cost. Hybrid systems are significantly more complex and expensive than traditional propulsion systems. Furthermore, reliability issues can arise, also related to their increased complexity.
It's worth noting that the EL9 project hasn't yet progressed beyond the prototype development and assembly stage, and any flights of the prototype aircraft remain a matter of the future. It's impossible to say with certainty when this aircraft will be able to fly or whether it will be able to meet its design specifications.
However, if the EL9 performs well in testing, the developer can expect commercial success. Moreover, it has already received a large number of pre-orders for this type of equipment. Even partial fulfillment of these orders will generate significant profits.
Reason for optimism
Thus, over the course of its several years of operation, Electra Aero has developed a range of solutions and technologies for the creation of aircraft with improved performance. It has already built and tested the EL2 experimental aircraft and is now preparing the fully-fledged EL9 cargo-passenger aircraft.
The EL9 Ultra Short's maiden flight is scheduled for next year. Testing and performance verification are expected to take approximately two years. This means the full potential of this intriguing development will be known by the end of the decade.
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