Hili takes flight: LODD Autonomous reveals hybrid cargo drone in UAE debut
November 13, 2025
Abu Dhabi-based LODD Autonomous has successfully completed the first flight of its autonomous cargo VTOL prototype, Hili, marking a major milestone for the UAE’s emerging advanced air mobility sector.
The full-scale proof-of-concept aircraft took off from the company’s dedicated test facility in Al Ain, demonstrating a blend of technologies designed to expand regional cargo capability.
Hili can carry up to 250 kilograms (551 lb) of payload and is engineered for a range of 300 to 700 kilometres (186 to 435 miles). The hybrid-electric design combines eight electric motors for vertical take-off and landing with an internal combustion engine (ICE) used for efficient cruise flight.
By uniting electric propulsion with conventional power, LODD’s Hili aims to offer a practical, scalable solution for mid-range cargo logistics, bridging the gap between drone delivery and conventional air transport.
LODD Autonomous conducts first flight of Hili cargo VTOL
On 13 November, LODD Autonomous conducted the maiden flight of its futuristic hybrid cargo drone, Hili.
The event was attended by His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE and Ruler of Abu Dhabi, alongside LODD CEO Rashid Al Manai and several industry partners.
During the two-minute test, the aircraft executed a series of autonomous manoeuvres including vertical take-off, low-altitude hover, lateral and longitudinal repositioning, and vertical landing — all powered solely by its electric motors.
Designed to serve the middle-mile cargo market, Hili aims to enhance connectivity between cities, warehouses, and industrial hubs.
“Hili has been designed to fulfil the middle-mile use case, which is mainly B2B,” said Rashid Al Manai, CEO of LODD Autonomous. “Companies that need to deliver time-sensitive items quickly and flexibly — such as cargo and logistics operators — will be our customers for this aircraft.”
The middle-mile sector bridges the gap between major distribution centres and end-delivery points. Instead of relying on infrequent, high-cost cargo aircraft, logistics providers can use vehicles like Hili to move high-value goods across their networks more efficiently.
Although exact figures were not disclosed, Al Manai noted that the operational cost per kilogram-kilometre for Hili would be a fraction of traditional air cargo.
LODD Autonomous secures new partnerships to scale Hili cargo VTOL
During the maiden flight event, LODD Autonomous signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with ST Engineering, paving the way to introduce Hili to the Asian market.
The company also inked an MoU with Skyports Drone Services, a division of Skyportz specialising in advanced air mobility infrastructure and operations. Under the agreement, Skyports plans to acquire or lease up to 10 Hili aircraft over the next few years to support customer payload missions.
Speaking to Aerospace Global News, Alex Brown, CEO of Skyports Drone Services, outlined how Hili will fit into the company’s operational plans.
“The agreement we signed today is to buy or lease up to ten aircraft that we’ll be flying within our operations for our customers,” Brown said. “We’re focused on two key use cases — offshore energy, both oil and wind, and ultra-rural delivery — flying up to 500 km to reach hard-to-access locations and deliver high-value cargo.”
What’s next: Hili readies for high-altitude tests and 2026 service launch
LODD’s technical team has launched a structured flight-test campaign to gradually expand the aircraft’s envelope over the coming months. The initial phase will focus on higher-altitude and higher-speed trials, building on data from the maiden flight.
Alongside the flight programme, the company will conduct a series of ground tests centred on validating the internal combustion engine (ICE) system ahead of a fully developed cruise-flight demonstration.
If progress continues on schedule, production-standard Hili aircraft are expected to enter service next year.
Featured Image: Omar Memon / AGN
