Electra has completed its participation in the Air Force Research Laboratory’s (AFRL) Future Flag 25-3 test event, held in Rome, New York, from late August to early September.
Future Flag is an experimentation series designed to accelerate the development, demonstration, and fielding of innovative capabilities for the U.S. Air Force. The latest iteration included government-directed tests (GDT) and operational scenarios to evaluate Electra’s ultra-short takeoff and landing (Ultra-STOL) and hybrid-electric power generation technologies.
The event brought together multiple Air Force units, including the New York Air National Guard’s 174th Attack Wing, which supported the GDTs with personnel and technology resources. Electra stood out as the sole industry participant.
The GDTs formed part of the Strategic Funding Increase (STRATFI) awarded to Electra by the U.S. Air Force’s AFWERX, supporting the development, testing and demonstration of hybrid-electric aircraft. Electra’s EL2 Ultra-STOL prototype aircraft took part in the trials, highlighting both the operational potential of hybrid-electric aircraft and the military utility of the EL9 – a nine-passenger Ultra-STOL aircraft currently in development.
“Future Flag was a prime opportunity to test and evaluate the practical and transformative capabilities developed with the support of AFRL and AFWERX,” said Donn Yates, Electra’s Vice President of Government Programs. “From ground-based power to medical transport to forward resupply, our Ultra-STOL aircraft delivers an array of multi-mission applications that our warfighters need. We were thrilled to showcase them with our government partners during Future Flag 25-3.”
As part of an operational scenario, Electra’s Ultra-STOL aircraft flew alongside the New York Air National Guard’s 109th Airlift Wing and the Connecticut Air National Guard’s 103rd Airlift Wing. The company demonstrated tactical airlift capabilities layered within the scenario to inform the concept of operations for the EL9.
“Working with our Air National Guard partners, the scenarios we executed are a concrete demonstration of how Ultra-STOL aircraft can augment existing platforms and fill an important gap in existing tactical airlift capabilities,” Yates added.
SOURCE AND IMAGE: ELECTRA
