US Army Explores Electra’s Hybrid-Electric Ultra-Short Aircraft for Tactical Resupply and Medical Evacuations.

On September 23, 2024, the U.S. Army witnessed a demonstration of an innovative hybrid-electric aircraft designed to take off and land in areas as small as a soccer field. Electra, the manufacturer of this ultra-short takeoff and landing aircraft, announced the successful demonstration flights of its EL-2 Goldfinch prototype at the Marine Corps Air Facility Quantico and Felker Army Airfield, located at Joint Base Langley-Eustis in Virginia. Representatives from the U.S. Army, Navy, and Air Force attended, marking the first time Electra’s aircraft was showcased in a military setting.
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Electra’s nine-passenger model, supported by contracts from the Air Force, Navy, and Army, is drawing attention within the military for its potential in resupply missions, tactical insertions, and medical evacuations (Picture source: Electra)

Electra’s nine-passenger model, backed by contracts from the Air Force, Navy, and Army, has generated significant interest within the military due to its potential applications in resupply missions, tactical insertions, and medical evacuations. The company is also supported by Lockheed Martin, a key defense industry player. The demonstrations at Langley-Eustis were part of a strategic funding increase (STRATFI) agreement with AFWERX, the Air Force’s innovation division, totaling up to $85 million. This partnership aims to provide electric aircraft manufacturers and developers of cutting-edge aviation technologies with a platform to refine their systems, while granting the military early access to non-commercial designs.

Jacob Wilson, head of AFWERX’s Agility Prime division, which focuses on electric and autonomous models, highlighted that “the efficiency, quiet operation, and sustainable capabilities of this aircraft align with military objectives for logistics in contested and expeditionary environments.” The Goldfinch’s hybrid-electric propulsion system provides enhanced range and endurance, making it suitable for Agile Combat Employment missions in difficult-to-access areas with compromised or nonexistent runways.

The Goldfinch features a unique blown-lift mechanism to increase lift, allowing it to take off at speeds similar to a car’s driving speed. This reduces the necessary takeoff distance to just 150 feet, enabling operation in confined spaces without a functional runway, including from ships or barges. During the demonstrations, Electra test pilot Cody Allee performed a series of grass takeoffs and landings without ground infrastructure, illustrating the aircraft’s operational independence.

Throughout the demonstration flights, Allee executed 150-foot-radius turns to showcase the aircraft's maneuverability at low speeds and altitudes. He also demonstrated the aircraft’s mobile power generation capability by using its onboard power supply to activate an audio system and preflight presentation equipment, underscoring its increased autonomy in field conditions.

These demonstration flights represent an important milestone for Electra, which reports that its ultra-short aircraft enables operations in challenging locations previously accessible only to helicopters while reducing operational costs by 70 percent and offering quiet performance. In January, Electra announced it had exceeded 2,000 orders for its flagship model, with commercial clients including regional carrier JSX, helicopter operator Bristow Group, and private charter platform JetSetGo. However, military customers will have priority access to these aircraft as Electra continues to refine its design to meet military requirements.