Lockheed Martin Skunk Works, the advanced development division of Lockheed Martin, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Electra.aero, to explore strategic collaboration around Electra’s next-generation EL9 ultra-short takeoff and landing (Ultra-STOL) aircraft.
Through this partnership, the two companies will examine opportunities to accelerate the development and deployment of the EL9, leveraging Lockheed Martin’s extensive expertise in digital engineering, advanced manufacturing, supply chain integration, sustainment capabilities, and global business development.
As part of the agreement, Lockheed Martin Skunk Works and Electra will also explore potential programs of record with the U.S. Department of Defense and allied international customers.
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The Electra EL9 is poised to redefine both commercial and military aviation, offering exceptional capabilities for last-mile logistics, mobile power generation, and emergency response. Designed for operational flexibility, the hybrid-electric Ultra-STOL aircraft can take off and land within just 150 feet—on unprepared surfaces—enabling mission-critical access to remote or austere environments. With a payload capacity of 1,000 pounds and a range exceeding 1,000 miles, the EL9 offers fixed-wing efficiency and reliability with vertical lift agility.
“Lockheed Martin’s breadth of manufacturing, supply chain and military customer expertise is the perfect complement to Electra’s EL9 commercialization strategy,” said Marc Allen, CEO of Electra. “This relationship will accelerate our speed to market to bring the EL9’s transformative capabilities to our military customers.”
“Electra has driven significant innovation in the hybrid-electric space, and we’re excited to collaborate with them to accelerate their development,” said OJ Sanchez, Vice President and General Manager at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works®.