Lockheed Martin and Electra Expand Collaboration to Accelerate EL9 Ultra-STOL Commercialization

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Jun 19, 2025, 03:00 ET

PARIS, June 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Lockheed Martin Skunk Works^® (NYSE: LMT) and Electra.aero, Inc. ("Electra") signed a Memorandum of Understanding to explore opportunities for Electra's EL9 ultra-short takeoff and landing (Ultra-STOL) aircraft.

Lockheed Martin, a global defense 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.

The Electra Ultra-STOL EL9 can quietly take off and land in 150 feet, enabling operations in austere areas while retaining the safety, cost and range benefits of a fixed-wing aircraft.

Electra’s CEO Marc Allen and Lockheed Martin Skunk Works’ VP and General Manager OJ Sanchez sign a Memorandum of Understanding on the floor of the Paris Air Show 2025.

Additionally, the Skunk Works and Electra teams will assess opportunities for potential programs 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 defense users.

"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^®.

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.

About Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin is a global defense technology company driving innovation and advancing scientific discovery. Our all-domain mission solutions and 21st Century Security^® vision accelerate the delivery of transformative technologies to ensure those we serve always stay ahead of ready. More information at www.lockheedmartin.com.

About Electra
Electra.aero, Inc. (Electra) is an advanced aerospace company building hybrid-electric Ultra Short aircraft that achieve never-before performance advantages to fly people and cargo seamlessly without airports, emissions, or noise. With the Ultra Short, Electra is pioneering Direct Aviation, the next level of connectivity that brings air travel closer to where we live, work, and play. Electra's Ultra Short technology delivers 2.5X the payload and 10X longer range with 70% lower operating costs than helicopters and eVTOLs with significantly greater safety and far less certification risk.

Electra's team includes some of the most respected and successful entrepreneurs and engineers in novel aircraft design, with over 40 prior aircraft successfully developed and/or certified. Electra's contracted customers include NASA, the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Army, and the U.S. Navy, along with over 2,200 aircraft under Letters of Intent from 50+ commercial customers, including both airlines and helicopter operators.

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SOURCE Electra.aero