Hybrid-electric breakthrough
Elroy Air has marked a milestone in autonomous air cargo development with its "Chaparral" hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft. In three recent flights in California, the drone transitioned autonomously from vertical takeoff to forward, wingborne flight, reaching more than 110 km/h before landing vertically.
The company highlighted that forward cruise uses up to four times less power than hovering, enabling longer range and efficiency. Designed to carry 135 kg of cargo over 480 km, "Chaparral" targets middle-mile logistics and military resupply at lower costs than helicopters, while removing crew risk. Elroy Air plans a 40-km demonstration flight this month and first cargo deliveries between two locations by year-end.
CEO Andrew Clare called the transition "one of the most technically complex phases of VTOL flight", adding it sets the foundation for commercialisation. (ah)