The U.S. Army is going to explore the potential benefits of hybrid-electric propulsion under the scope of a $1.9 million Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) contract it awarded to Electra Aero on July 1. Under the agreement, the company will conduct a series of “technology maturation and risk reduction” activities aimed at understanding the mission capabilities that aircraft like its in-development EL9 model could deliver in terms of range and fuel use.
“This work gives the Army a clear path forward in understanding how hybrid-electric technologies can support real operational demands, while enabling entirely new logistics capabilities,” said Donn Yates, vice president of government programs at Electra. “Electra’s hybrid-electric ultra-STOL aircraft redefines what is possible for Army aviation with its ability to operate from small, rugged sites, reduce fuel demand, and increase flexibility for the commander.”
In this article
More In Engines
