eSTOL Aircraft Design Study and Initial Experimentation for DON-Unique Next Gen Logistics Aircraft

This proposed Phase I technical effort will assess and prepare to validate through experimentation how ElectraÆs hybrid-electric ultra-short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraftĀcould be refined for Department of the Navy (DON)-specific use cases. This dual-use technology solution could help address the significant gap in the Joint Force to provide logistics and sustainment to widely dispersed units across large contested geographical areas.ĀThrough this solicitation, the DON has identified a technology area of interest in Next-Generation Logistics Aircraft. ElectraÆs eSTOL is ideally suited to deliver on the desired capabilities which include attritability, reduced detectability (through substantially lower acoustics signatures ¢ two orders of magnitude quieter than a helicopter), and runway-independent ōsoccer fieldö operations for intra- and inter-theater resupply, cargo, and medevac missions. Some design refinements could be desired to suit DON-unique applications. This proposal will assess DON stakeholder requirements, refine necessary design variants, and prepare for future experimentation in an effort to validate the true capacity for eSTOL to help the DON meet Next-Gen Logistics Aircraft capability requirements. Electra.aero is a startup company with an exceptionally experienced team who is developing the above-described hybrid-electric eSTOL aircraft which offers immense dual-use capabilities. Electra has completed the foundational research and technical risk reduction for the four enabling eSTOL technologies ¢ blown lift, distributed electric propulsion, precision flight controls, and hybrid-electric propulsion ¢ through considerable private investment and joint USAF and Army-funded Phase I, II, and III SBIRs and STTRs, including a recently signed $30 million USAF STRATFI contract. Leveraging distributed electric propulsion and blown lift, ElectraÆs eSTOL can efficiently transport up to 3,000 lbs of payload (or nine passengers) to a 250 nmi combat radius (no charging / re-fueling required at the destination), or 500 lbs of payload to a 500 nmi combat radius, with a total takeoff and landing footprint of less than 300 feet by 100 feet, enabling ōsoccer field operations.ö Over the past three years, Electra has developed and built a 2-seat piloted technology demonstrator aircraft which is scheduled for first flight in September 2023. This aircraft is being used to validate the eSTOL performance and inform the design and development of a full-scale 9-seat pre-production prototype eSTOL aircraft which is expected to achieve first flight in 2025. At the conclusion of the effort, the feasibility of using ElectraÆs aircraft for DON-specific use cases will be fully assessed and the groundwork for a Phase II flight demoĀwill be started to ensure that a follow-on effort could properly evaluate the next-generation logistics aircraft within DON-unique operational environments.