Paris Air Show: Lockheed Martin to accelerate commercialisation of Electra’s EL9
June 20, 2025
Electra is collaborating with Lockheed Martin Skunk Works to develop its ultra-short take-off and landing (STOL) aircraft. The two companies signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the penultimate day of this year’s Paris Air Show.
Electra is developing hybrid-electric ultra-STOL aircraft for both passenger and cargo transportation. With its EL9, Electra’s ultra short technology delivers 2.5 times the payload and 10 times longer range with 70% lower operating costs than helicopters and electric take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Driving innovation in the hybrid-electric space
The partnership with Lockheed Martin will leverage both companies’ expertise to develop the EL9 in areas including digital engineering, manufacturing, supply chain sustainment and global business development.
Commenting on the MoU, OJ Sanchez, VP and general manager at Lockheed Martin Skunk Works said: “Electra has driven significant innovation in the hybrid-electric space and we’re excited to collaborate with them to accelerate their development.”
The EL9 is designed to carry 1000 lbs over 1000 miles and to take off and land in roughly 150ft using blown-lift technology and distributed electric propulsion combined with a small turnbine generator. It runs quietly in electric mode, produces significantly lower noise and emissions than helicopters, and can land on unimproved surfaces. According to Electra, it will transform commercial and military aviation for applications including last mile logistics, mobile power generation and emergency response.
“Lockheed Martin’s breadth of manufacturing, supply chain and military customer expertise is the perfect complement to Electra’s EL9 commercialisation strategy,” said Marc Allen, CEO of Electra. He also noted that its relationship with the aerospace and defence specialist will “accelerate our speed to market to bring the EL9’s transformative capabilities to our military customers.”
The collaboration between Skunk Works and Electra, he continued will assess opportunities for potential programmes of record with the US Department of Defense and global customers.
Lockheed Martin expands strategic relationships
Lockheed Martin has had a busy show in Paris with multiple signings and announcements taking place. Building on a partnership spanning more than three decades on Tuesday 17 June it signed an MoU with Korea Aerospace Industries. The agreement will see the two companies develop their current collaboration on air systems to include rotorcraft manufacturing and next-generation platform development, space systems, crewed-uncrewed teaming, uncrewed aerial vehicles, training devices and sustainment.
“The extension of our collaboration with KAI reflects our commitment to advancing global security by partnering with US allies to develop, manufacture and sustain 21st century deterrence solutions,” said Frank St. John, Lockheed Martin’s COO.
“By combining the best skills, expertise and technologies from the US and Korea, we aim to boost capacity, sustain jobs and deliver economic benefits in both countries.”
Meanwhile, in another signing on Tuesday, Derco – a Lockheed Martin subsidiary announced a partnership with Japanese defence and aerospace manufacturing company, NIPPI Corporation. The partnership will provide comprehensive logistics and technical support for the Japan Air Self-Defence Force’s (JASDF’s) C-130 Hercules fleet.
The performance-based logistics agreement between NIPPI and Derco provides JASDF’s 16 C-130H aircraft with critical resources and materials, including demand forecasting, data analytics, technical support and coverage of over 5,700 spare parts and components. The C-130H is a key asset within JASDF’s fleet, providing tactical expertise for a variety of airlife missions including humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and military readiness.
NIPPI’s president and CEO, Kenya Takaha, said the company is “honoured to have signed a sustainment agreement with Derco and is proud to be able to contribute to the improvement of the C-130H fleet’s readiness by leveraging the experience we have cultivated in integrated logistics support through our ongoing sustainment agreement for the JMSDF’s C-130R aircraft and our continued partnership with Lockheed Martin and Derco.”
Groundbreaking C-130J Super Hercules results
Wednesday 18 June saw Lockheed Martin announced a major breakthrough in wing structure testing for its C-130J Super Hercules. Following an extensive testing programme, the C-130J’s wing structure has proven a nearly 40% increase in lifespan over original projections – almost double its intended design life. The testing revealed that the service life could extend from the previously estimated 90,000 Equivalent Flight Hours to around 122,500 Equivalent Flight Hours. The improvement reinforces the C-130J’s reputation as the world’s most capable and dependable tactical airlifter. It also confirms its structural resilience and reliability for operations in demanding environments.
