Startup Prepares to Test Hybrid-Electric Aircraft.

• Author: Park, Allyson

MANASSAS, Virginia -- An aviation startup recently unveiled a new hybrid-electric ultra-short takeoff and landing aircraft, which was partially funded by the Air Force.

"We're ready to test the entire system with this technology demon- . strator aircraft. We can't wait to fly this plane and show the world what our eSTOL aircraft can do," John Langford, founder and CEO of Electra.aero, said in a statement.

The Air Force's AFWERX innovation arm awarded Electra $85 million for the aircraft's development.

In the three years since the company was founded, Electra designed the aircraft, validated its "blownlift" distributed electric propulsion system with a sub-scale demonstrator and ran a fully integrated test of its 150-kilowatt hybrid-electric generator at full scale, Langford said.

The company displayed the eight-motor test vehicle and revealed its name--the EL-2 Goldfinch--in June at Manassas Regional Airport in Virginia, with Air Force representatives in attendance.

Ben Marchionna, director of technology and innovation at Electra, in an interview said: "Hybrid is key. That is what gives you the long ranges that make it really relevant to the military applications.

"The hydroelectric system is basically recharging the batteries in flight... . Not only can we go long distances, but you can turn around...