Engineering the EL9: Electra's Ultra Short Hybrid-Electric Aircraft

April 28, 2025

Electra’s nine-passenger blown lift hybrid-electric aircraft, pictured here, only requires 150 feet for takeoff and landing. (Image: Electra)

Last week, Electra announced a new $115 million Series B investment that will provide funding for the pre-production and certification phase of its EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft.

Electra, a Virginia-based company, was first launched in 2020, and previously completed the first flight of a demonstrator prototype hybrid-electric aircraft, the Goldfinch EL-2, in 2023. Since then, the company has been developing the EL9 as an “Ultra Short” aircraft powered by blown lift technology that only requires 150 feet for takeoff and landing.

Electra has secured more than 2,200 pre-orders valued at $10 billion for the EL9 and is currently collaborating with the U.S. Air Force on the development of the EL9 for military operations.

Marc Allen, CEO of Electra, is the guest on this episode of the Aerospace & Defense Technology podcast to explain how the EL9's blown lift hybrid-electric propulsion system works, their latest progress with the program, and when it could be ready for commercial and military operations.

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