Electra Expands Presence with Momentum Behind Hybrid ‘Ultra Short’ Aircraft

Electra is making significant progress in the aviation industry with its hybrid-electric “ultra short” aircraft, designed for efficiency and sustainability. The aircraft’s growing momentum highlights a shift toward greener air mobility and practical regional transport solutions. As the company expands its presence, Electra is positioning itself as a leader in next-generation flight technology, combining innovation, reduced emissions, and shorter runway requirements to redefine future air travel.

Electra is soaring to new heights with major facility expansions in Virginia and Switzerland, fueling the development of its cutting-edge nine-passenger hybrid-electric EL9 Ultra Short aircraft. Announced on September 30, the company revealed that its workforce has more than doubled in 2025, with plans to hire dozens of new engineers as it accelerates innovation in sustainable aviation.

At its Manassas, Virginia headquarter, located at Manassas Regional Airport (KHEF) near Washington, D.C., Electra has added a 15,000-sq-ft hangar and 6,000 sq ft of office space to its existing 36,000-sq-ft facility. Meanwhile, its R&D center in Bleienbach, Switzerland has grown to 2,000 sq ft, where Electra’s Swiss team is testing the hybrid-electric propulsion system using an advanced iron bird setup.

“Electra is on a mission to transform aviation,” said Marc Allen, the company’s CEO. “By expanding our facilities, we’re creating the space and resources needed for world-class engineers to design, develop, and bring our revolutionary EL9 Ultra Short aircraft to life, making air travel more convenient, affordable, and sustainable.”

The EL9 is a game-changer. With its blown-lift aerodynamics, it can take off and land quietly in just 150 feet, enabling access to small airports, parking lots, and open fields, a leap forward for regional mobility. Electra plans to introduce the aircraft to the market by 2029, promising a future where green aviation meets everyday convenience.

In another recent milestone, Electra took part in the U.S. Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Future Flag 25-3 test series in Rome, New York, held from August to September. This exercise focused on accelerating hybrid-electric propulsion innovations, with Electra’s EL2 demonstrator showcasing impressive short takeoff and landing (STOL) performance and the potential military applications of the larger EL9. Collaborating with the New York Air National Guard’s 174th Attack Wing, the company also conducted joint missions alongside the 109th and 103rd Airlift Wings.

According to Donn Yates, Electra’s Vice President of Government Programs, the exercise demonstrated how Ultra-STOL aircraft can fill critical gaps in tactical airlift missions, enhancing flexibility for the military. The company has previously secured funding from the U.S. Air Force’s Afwerx, as well as the Navy and Army, to advance hybrid-electric and STOL aircraft technology.

“Future Flag gave us the perfect stage to prove how versatile our Ultra-STOL technology is,” Yates added. “From medical evacuations to forward resupply and power delivery, Electra’s aircraft can support multiple defense and humanitarian missions, setting a new standard for next-generation air mobility.”

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Source: ainonline‍