Electra develops eSTOL pre-production prototype for US Air Force
Electra will soon test a two-seat piloted eSTOL technology demonstrator aircraft. (Photo: Electra)
The Virginia-based aerospace company has received a strategic funding injection of up to $85m to mature its eSTOL technology for the US Air Force.
The USAF has awarded aerospace company Electra a contract worth up to $85 million to develop a full-scale pre-production prototype electric short take-off and landing (eSTOL) aircraft.
The deal falls under a Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) award run by the USAF AFWERX innovation arm.
Electra says its eSTOL platform is characterised by a ‘helicopter-like operational flexibility’ with performance and operating costs that exceed similar fixed-wing aircraft.
This STRATFI award secures an investment partnership that funds rapid development, test and evaluation of a full-scale pre-production prototype eSTOL aircraft which the USAF can use to validate requirements and operational use cases.
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