Atlas Will Build Electra’s EL9 Hybrid-electric Prototypes
Wichita-based aerospace manufacturing group has partnered with the U.S. start-up
By Charles Alcock
Electra has reached an agreement for Atlas to manufacture and assemble airframes for early examples of its EL9 Ultra Short hybrid-electric aircraft. Under a partnership announced on Tuesday, the companies said work will begin this month at Atlas’ facilities in Wichita, with the first prototypes of the nine-seater to be delivered in 2027, when flight testing is due to begin.
Atlas has experience in complex assembly work, sheet metal fabrication, precision machining, and composite bonding. Its aerospace clients include Boeing, Northrop Grumman, Gulfstream Aerospace, and Textron.
While the initial collaboration is focused on Electra’s timeline to achieve Part 23 type certification for the EL9 in 2029, the partners said they are also working on plans to launch scaled commercial production. Virginia-based Electra has committed to making an $850 million investment in a production facility in Springfield, Ohio, that is expected to create nearly 2,000 jobs. According to the company, it already holds letters of intent covering more than 2,200 aircraft from more than 60 prospective operators.
According to Electra, the EL9 will be able to take off and land in as little as 150 feet, opening up options for new “Direct Aviation” regional air services that do not require airports. The company recently conducted demonstration flights with its subscale EL2 development aircraft in three U.S. locations, and it is also working with prospective operators abroad, such as in Finland.
In July, the FAA established the certification basis for the EL9 model, which is expected to serve routes of between 50 and 500 miles. The aircraft’s powertrain will include electric motors and a Safran-provided TG600 turbogenerator.
