Electra.aero
| Private | |
| ISIN | 🆔 |
| Industry | Aerospace, Advanced Air Mobility |
| Founded 📆 | 2020 |
| Founder 👔 | Dr. John Langford |
| Headquarters 🏙️ | Manassas, Virginia, United States |
Area served 🗺️ | |
Key people | B. Marc Allen (CEO) |
| Products 📟 | Hybrid electric aircraft |
| Members | |
Number of employees | 100 (December 2025)[1] |
| 🌐 Website | electra |
| 📇 Address | |
| 📞 telephone | |
Electra.aero Inc. is an American aerospace manufacturer developing hybrid-electric ultra-STOL aircraft for commercial passenger, cargo, medical, and military applications in the Advanced Air Mobility sector. The company was founded by Dr. John Langford in 2020 and by 2026 had more than 100 employees.[2] Electra is headquartered in Manassas, Virginia with offices in Switzerland.
History
Electra was founded in 2020 by aerospace engineer John S. Langford, a serial entrepreneur who previously founded Aurora Flight Sciences which he sold to Boeing in 2017.[3] Electra was established with the mission of developing hybrid-electric aircraft capable of ultra-short takeoff and landing (ultra-STOL), aimed at regional air transportation and opening new air mobility markets, a new category of air travel the company calls Direct Aviation.[4]
Electra focused on validating its proprietary blown lift technology, which uses distributed electric propulsion and a hybrid-electric propulsion system using a turbogenerator to enable fixed-wing aircraft to take off and land in approximately 150 feet. Early studies of using distributed-electric propulsion for the ultra-STOL concept occurred at MIT, led by professors John Hansman and Mark Drela who joined the company as technical advisors.[5]
In November 2023, Electra's hybrid-electric technology demonstrator, the Electra EL2, completed its first piloted flight in Manassas, Virginia, followed shortly by a hybrid-powered test flight, and subsequent flights demonstrating the ability to takeoff and land in less than 150 feet.[6]
In August 2024, Electra appointed B. Marc Allen as its new chief executive officer, with Langford transitioning to the role of chairman. Allen previously held several senior executive roles at Boeing including Chief Strategy Officer, President of Boeing International, and President of Boeing Capital.[7] In early 2025 Electra raised $115M as part of a Series B fundraising round.[8]
In addition to commercial aircraft programs, Electra has been involved in government and research initiatives, securing contracts from entities including the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, and NASA for research and development of hybrid-electric aircraft. In November 2024, NASA awarded Electra a multi-million dollar contract to deliver a concept design of a future 200-passenger aircraft as part of the Advanced Aircraft Concepts for Environmental Sustainability (AACES) program.[9] In September 2025 Electra's EL2 participated in a U.S. Air Force Future Flag test event, demonstrating resupply with ultra-STOL, low acoustic signature operations, and mobile power generation by powering on an MQ-9 Reaper.[10]
Products
Electra is developing its flagship EL9 aircraft, a nine-passenger hybrid-electric ultra-STOL aircraft for commercial regional aviation and military logistics. The EL9 is designed to carry 1,000 pounds 1,000 nautical miles and takeoff and land in less than 300 feet while carrying its maximum payload.[11]
Electra's EL9 has attracted commercial interest; by 2024, the company reported exceeding 2,000 pre-orders from a diverse base of global commercial operators.[12] In 2026, Bristow Helicopters was announced as the first EL9 launch customer to place firm orders with multi-million dollar non-refundable deposits.[13]
In June 2025, Electra signed a memorandum of understanding with Lockheed Martin Skunk Works to collaborate on engineering and government contract opportunities with the U.S. military.[14] In December 2025, Electra submitted an application to the FAA for Part 23 type certification of the EL9, with entry into commercial service projected in 2029 or 2030.[15]
See also
- Advanced Air Mobility
- Electric aircraft
References
- ↑ "Electra launches defense business unit". Virginia Business. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ "Electra launches defense business unit". Virginia Business. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ "Aurora Founder Plans Hybrid-Electric Regional STOL Venture". Aviation Week Network. Retrieved 2026-02-11..
- ↑ "Electra Shares Alternative to 'Broken' Hub-and-Spoke Airport Model". FLYING Magazine. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ "Aurora Founder Plans Hybrid-Electric Regional STOL Venture". Aviation Week Network. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ "Electra.aero Completes First Flights With Hybrid eSTOL Demonstrator". Aviation Week Network. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ "Electra.aero gets Boeing veteran as new CEO". AeroTime. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ "Fresh investment to fund Electra's EL9 through certification phase". Aerospace Global News. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ "Electra.aero to lead sustainable commercial airliner development". Aerospace Manufacturing and Design. Retrieved 2026-02-11..
- ↑ "Electra launches defense business as it builds new aircraft". Axios. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ "Electra Shares Alternative to 'Broken' Hub-and-Spoke Airport Model". FLYING Magazine. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ "Electra.aero Surpasses 2,000 Orders for Hybrid-Electric Aircraft". FLYING Magazine. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ "Bristow locks in Electra plane deliveries with deposit deal". Reuters. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ "Lockheed Partners With Electra To Boost eSTOL EL9 Development". Aviation Week Network. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
- ↑ "Electra submits EL9 short take-off and landing aircraft for Type Certification". Aerospace Testing International. Retrieved 2026-02-11.
Category:Aircraft manufacturers of the United States Category:Aerospace companies of the United States Category:2020 establishments in Virginia Category:Electric aircraft Category:Hybrid electric vehicles
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