Key facts
- Electra signed a production agreement with Safran Helicopter Engines for turbogenerators.
- The agreement includes an initial order for 250 TG600 turbogenerators.
- Electra's EL9 aircraft is a nine-passenger hybrid-electric plane.
- The EL9 is expected to make its first flight in late 2027 or early 2028 and enter service in 2030.
- A turbogenerator comprises a gas turbine, electric generators, and electrical power regulation.
Electra, a startup developing hybrid-electric aircraft, has secured a significant supply agreement with Safran Helicopter Engines for 250 TG600 turbogenerators. This production deal is crucial for scaling the manufacturing of Electra's EL9, a nine-passenger aircraft designed for ultra-short takeoffs and landings.
The EL9 is slated for its first flight in late 2027 or early 2028, with a target service entry in 2030. The turbogenerators, which combine a gas turbine with electric generators and power regulation systems, are essential for the aircraft's hybrid-electric propulsion.
This agreement is part of a broader trend in the advanced air mobility sector, where companies are locking in suppliers and seeking regulatory approvals ahead of commercial operations. Electra, backed by Lockheed Martin Ventures and Honeywell, was also part of a U.S. government pilot program aimed at accelerating the deployment of flying air taxis.
Safran's Executive Vice President of Programs, Jean-François Sauer, noted that fully electric aircraft have range limitations for short-distance air taxi services, highlighting the role of hybrid solutions like Electra's. Electra CEO Marc Allen described the deal as a major milestone, with a substantial backlog of 2,200 aircraft and 63 operating customers awaiting delivery. Allen also indicated that the program would provide valuable data for the Department of Transportation and the FAA.