Electra and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works have signed a memorandum of understanding to explore opportunities for Electra's EL9 ultra-short takeoff and landing aircraft.

Lockheed Martin, a global defence technology company, will collaborate with Electra to explore ways to accelerate the development of the EL9 in areas including digital engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, sustainment and global business development. Additionally, the Skunk Works and Electra teams will assess opportunities for potential programmes of record with the U.S. Department of Defense and global customers.

The Electra EL9 will transform commercial and military aviation for applications including last mile logistics, mobile power generation and emergency response. The Ultra-STOL EL9 can quietly take off and land in 150 feet and from unimproved surfaces, enabling operations in austere areas while retaining the safety, cost and range benefits of a fixed-wing aircraft. The EL9's ability to carry 1,000 lbs over 1,000 miles enables an array of novel use cases for commercial and defence users.

“Lockheed Martin's breadth of manufacturing, supply chain and military customer expertise is the perfect complement to Electra's EL9 commercialisation strategy,” says 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 it to accelerate its development,” adds OJ Sanchez, vice president and general manager at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works.

The agreement deepens the strategic relationship between Lockheed Martin and Electra. In 2022, Lockheed Martin Ventures signed a strategic cooperation agreement to invest in Electra's Series A funding round.