Lockheed Martin has invested in hybrid-electric aircraft developer Electra, leading the startup's ongoing Series A fundraising. The corporate venture capital investment will enable Electra to build a full-scale demonstrator for its electric short-takeoff-and-landing (eSTOL) technology. The startup plans to develop a nine-passenger, 500-mi. eSTOL regional aircraft as its first product, aiming for FAA certification in 2026. Electra is ground testing the hybrid-electric powertrain for the demonstrator at its facility in Bleienbach, Switzerland, and with the Lockheed funding in hand will begin fabrication of the two-seat, 3,000-lb.-gross-weight aircraft in Manassas, Virginia, aiming for first flight this year, CEO John Langford says.
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