Electra has announced expansions of its facilities in Manassas, Virginia and Bleienbach, Switzerland to support accelerated development of its next-generation hybrid-electric aircraft program. The upgrades are designed to scale engineering capabilities and mass production capacity ahead of commercial deployment.

In the U.S., Electra has constructed a new 15,000 ft² hangar and added 6,000 ft² of office space at its Manassas Regional Airport location. These additions augment its existing 36,000 ft² headquarters in Manassas and will host expanded development and engineering teams. The company said it has more than doubled its staff in 2025 and plans to further grow its engineering workforce in the coming year.

In Europe, the firm has scaled up its Swiss R&D site in Bleienbach to nearly 2,000 ft². The European facility will contribute to innovation efforts and help attract engineering talent across the region.

Electra’s target aircraft, the EL9 Ultra Short, is being designed for extremely short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) operations—capable of operating in runway lengths as short as 150 feet—by combining hybrid-electric propulsion with blown-lift aerodynamics. This configuration aims to unlock access to unconventional landing sites, ranging from small rural airports to urban lots or open fields.

To date, Electra has run nearly two years of test flights with its EL2 prototype. These demonstrations have included operations from nontraditional fields, airstrips, and defense test exercises in collaboration with the U.S. Air Force’s Future Flag events.

Electra projects that flight testing of the EL9 will begin in 2027, with FAA certification flights scheduled for 2028–2029. It aims to bring the EL9 into service in late 2029 to 2030. The company also noted it currently holds more than 2,200 provisional orders from over 60 customers worldwide, representing a pipeline worth over US$13 billion.