Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and Electra.aero Inc. have announced an expanded collaboration, signing a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to accelerate the commercialization of Electra’s EL9 ultra-short takeoff and landing (Ultra-STOL) aircraft. This strategic agreement, unveiled at the Paris Air Show, builds upon Lockheed Martin Ventures’ initial investment in Electra’s Series A funding round in 2022.

The extended partnership will focus on leveraging Lockheed Martin’s extensive expertise in areas such as digital engineering, manufacturing, supply chain management, sustainment, and global business development. According to the announcement, the two companies will also explore opportunities for potential programs of record with the U.S. Department of Defense and international customers.

Electra’s EL9 aircraft is designed to revolutionize both commercial and military aviation. It is capable of taking off and landing quietly in as little as 150 feet, even from unimproved surfaces, offering significant operational flexibility. The company highlighted that the EL9 can transport 1,000 pounds over distances exceeding 1,000 miles, providing a unique blend of payload capacity and range for various applications, including last-mile logistics, mobile power generation, and emergency response.

Marc Allen, CEO of Electra, emphasized that Lockheed Martin’s broad experience in manufacturing, supply chain, and military customer relations perfectly complements Electra’s strategy for commercializing the EL9. He stated that this relationship will expedite the delivery of the EL9’s transformative capabilities to military clients.

OJ Sanchez, Vice President and General Manager at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, praised Electra’s substantial innovation in the hybrid-electric aviation space and expressed enthusiasm for collaborating to accelerate the aircraft’s development. This deepened alliance is expected to further advance the cutting-edge technology of the EL9, addressing a wide range of future aviation needs.