FutureFlight
Odys Unveils Laila UAV as Prelude to Hybrid-Electric VTOL Regional Airliner
A full-scale prototype of the UAV has already flown, with the program attracting support from U.S. Department of Defense contracts.
Odys Aviation's Laila multi-role UAV
Odys Aviation has revealed plans for a multi-role UAV called Laila. (Image: Odys)

Odys Aviation is working to bring an uncrewed air vehicle (UAV) called Laila to market over the next 24 months, targeting a variety of logistics roles. The newly disclosed project is being advanced at the same time that the California start-up is developing its nine-passenger hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft, which features flap-based thrust vectoring to generate lift and a blown wing.

To boost capital reserves raised through its $12.4 million seed round, Odys is preparing for a Series A funding round. Some financial support for the planned 130-pound-payload UAV has come from eight U.S. Department of Defense contracts that will result in the delivery of 10 pre-series-production aircraft for test and evaluation in 2025. It has already flown a full-scale prototype of this model, for which it aims to start series production in 2026.

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