Elroy Air transitions Chaparral VTOL to wingborne flight

Elroy Air, a pioneer in autonomous aerial cargo systems, has marked a major technical milestone with its Chaparral hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) cargo drone. In three successful flights conducted since July 31, the Chaparral autonomously transitioned from vertical takeoff to forward wingborne flight, reaching speeds of up to 70 mph before completing vertical landings. This achievement demonstrates the drone’s ability to efficiently switch between vertical lift and aerodynamic forward flight, a critical phase in the development of hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft.

The Chaparral is designed to carry up to 300 pounds of cargo over distances of 300 miles, offering a cost-efficient and safer alternative to piloted helicopters. By flying in forward cruise mode, the aircraft requires up to four times less power than during vertical takeoff, highlighting the efficiency gains of its wingborne flight. Elroy Air plans to extend the Chaparral’s range with a 25-mile demonstration flight later this month, and intends to enable full cargo transport between separate locations by year-end.

“Our team has made a remarkable technical achievement,” said CEO Andrew Clare. “The ability to seamlessly transition between vertical hover and wingborne flight lays the foundation for full mission capability and future productization.” Executive Chairman and Co-Founder Dave Merrill added that this milestone advances the company’s mission to transform middle-mile logistics with autonomous aerial solutions.

Elroy Air has a strong track record in hybrid-electric aviation, achieving the world’s first turbogenerator-hybrid-electric flight in 2023. The company holds multiple contracts with U.S. and allied forces, including the U.S. Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, and an evaluation agreement with Japan’s Ground Self-Defense Force. With a significant backlog exceeding $3 billion in future revenue from logistics and aerospace leaders like FedEx, Bristow, and LCI, the Chaparral positions Elroy Air at the forefront of autonomous cargo innovation.