Electra Secures Funds to Launch the World’s First Ultra Short Takeoff Aircraft

Electra.aero has announced a $115 million Series B funding round to propel its revolutionary EL9 Ultra Short aircraft into pre-production and certification, marking a pivotal step in advanced air mobility. The funding, led by Prysm Capital, positions Electra as the first mover in a new category of aviation that combines the versatility of helicopters, the efficiency of fixed-wing aircraft, and the quiet sustainability of electric propulsion.

The EL9, a hybrid-electric, 9-passenger aircraft, is designed to take off and land in just 150 feet—about one-tenth the space required by similarly sized planes. It boasts a range of up to 1,100 nautical miles, can carry up to 3,000 pounds of payload, and offers in-flight battery recharging, eliminating the need for ground charging infrastructure.

Electra has already secured more than 2,200 pre-orders valued at over $10 billion, indicating robust interest from both commercial and defense sectors. Its aircraft is suited for urban air mobility, regional cargo, and military logistics, operating from grass fields, parking lots, heliports, and other unimproved locations.

Backed by strategic partners including Lockheed Martin Ventures, Honeywell, and Safran, Electra has also garnered support from NASA, the U.S. Air Force, Army, and Navy, through over 20 SBIR contracts and a Strategic Funding Increase agreement.

With the EL9, Electra aims to connect under-served communities, create new commercial routes, and offer the mobility, flexibility, and sustainability that next-generation aviation demands.

The first phase of certification and production is underway, with Electra continuing to expand its 80-person team and preparing the EL9 to reshape the skies for passenger and cargo aviation alike.