Elroy Air Achieves Major Milestone With Transition of Chaparral Aircraft from Vertical Takeoff to Wingborne Flight
Company successfully flies its hybrid-electric VTOL cargo drone at 70 mph: Elroy Air autonomously transitioned its hybrid-electric Chaparral VTOL cargo drone from vertical takeoff to forward flight three times in July and August, marking a major milestone and key technical achievement in the development of this type of aircraft.
SAN FRANCISCO – Elroy Air, the leading developer of autonomous aerial cargo systems for middle-mile logistics and military resupply announced it successfully reached transition speed with the company’s hybrid-electric, vertical takeoff and landing (hVTOL) aircraft, Chaparral. Three transition speed flights have occurred since July 31. On each flight, the aircraft autonomously transitioned from vertical takeoff to forward flight, completing the flight with a vertical landing. The Chaparral flew at a maximum speed of 70mph. VTOL aircraft such as Chaparral are unique because they are able to take off and land vertically, without the need of a runway, using rotors for vertical lift, then they transition mid-air to efficient forward flight with less power usage when wingborne. This is a major milestone and key technical achievement in the development of this type of aircraft.
“Our team has made a remarkable technical achievement,” said Elroy Air CEO Andrew Clare. “This is one of the most technically complex phases of VTOL flight, requiring careful autonomous orchestration between all control systems and a detailed understanding of the specific aerodynamics and structural dynamics of the aircraft. These recent flights have shown that Chaparral can seamlessly transition back and forth from vertical hover to wingborne flight, setting the technical foundation for full mission capability and productization.”
The Chaparral is now flying efficiently at speed with up to four times less power demand when in forward cruise flight compared to vertical takeoff. The team plans to demonstrate a 25 mile flight later this month. The company announced it has plans to deliver cargo between two separate locations by the end of this year.
“Our team has continually pushed the boundaries of aerospace, particularly in hybrid-electric powertrain, on our path to transform autonomous aerial cargo,” said Elroy Air Executive Chairman and Co-Founder Dave Merrill. “These flights on the wing represent a major milestone towards delivering a dual-use cargo delivery capability to the many customers and partners working with us to transform middle-mile logistics.”
The Chaparral is designed to autonomously transport 300 pounds of cargo over distances of 300 miles. Engineered for speed, efficiency, and safety, the Chaparral operates at a fraction of the capital and operational cost of piloted helicopters while eliminating risk to personnel. In contested or high-risk logistics environments, Elroy Air’s autonomous solution enables secure, uncrewed cargo delivery without putting people in harm’s way.
“Chaparral is designed to meet the demands of being operational and sustainable in the field. It is engineered with mechanical simplicity at its core—fewer moving parts means greater reliability, less downtime, and lower maintenance costs. The Chaparral’s hybrid-electric powertrain enables rapid refueling, extra power for recharging batteries and powering payloads in flight, and longer range cargo transport,” added Clare.
Chaparral made history in November 2023 with the world’s first turbogenerator-hybrid-electric aircraft flight. The company has secured significant backlog demand exceeding $3 Billion in future revenues from leading aerospace and logistics companies including FedEx, Bristow, and LCI. Elroy Air began working with the U.S. Air Force in 2019 and flew its cutting-edge aircraft for the U.S. Marine Corps at Yuma Proving Ground last summer. The company now holds multiple contracts with U.S. and allied forces including the U.S. Army and an evaluation contract with the Japan Ground Self-Defense Force (JGSDF).
About Elroy Air
Elroy Air is developing industry-first autonomous aircraft systems and cutting-edge software to revolutionize express shipping. Deploying innovative hybrid-electric and autonomous vehicle technologies, their vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) aircraft transcend traditional airport limitations, unlocking new frontiers in commercial air cargo, humanitarian aid, and military logistics. From agile, low-risk resupply for troops, to dynamic disaster response and firefighting support, to warehouse-to-warehouse express parcel transport, Elroy Air’s technology reshapes logistics possibilities. With facilities in Byron California, Elroy Air is backed by premier venture capital firms including Diamondstream Partners, Catapult Ventures, Marlinspike Partners, Snowpoint Ventures, and Shield Capital. Strategic investment from industry giants like Lockheed Martin Ventures and support from visionary angel investors including early Uber executives drive the company's mission to provide same-day shipping to every person on the planet. For more information, visit elroyair.com.