UAE advances air cargo innovation with Hili’s first test flight
LODD Autonomous completes first test flight of Hili, a hybrid heavy-lift cargo aircraft designed and manufactured in Abu Dhabi.;
Source: mediaoffice.abudhabi
Abu Dhabi has taken a decisive step forward in next-generation air mobility with the first test flight of Hili, a hybrid heavy-lift cargo aircraft engineered and manufactured entirely in the UAE. The demonstration was held at the LODD Autonomous’s flight testing facility at Emirates Falcons Aviation in Al Ain, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, as part of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week.
Hili is designed to carry payloads of up to 250 kilograms across nearly 700 kilometres, powered by a hybrid propulsion system integrating electric and internal combustion technologies. The modular architecture boosts efficiency, enhances safety, and supports the UAE’s drive toward sustainable logistics solutions.
His Highness noted that the successful test flight reflects Abu Dhabi’s leadership in autonomous aviation and advanced logistics, emphasising the emirate’s commitment to converting innovation into real-world applications that stimulate economic and technological advancement. He also highlighted the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council’s role in accelerating progress across advanced air mobility and intelligent systems.
Speaking at the event, His Excellency Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, Advisor to the UAE President and Secretary-General of the Advanced Technology Research Council, described the milestone as a testament to Abu Dhabi’s long-term investment in future technologies and its ability to develop globally competitive capabilities at home.
Rashid Al Manai, CEO of LODD Autonomous, said the achievement reinforces both the company’s and the nation’s ambitions in next-generation air mobility. “Designing, manufacturing, and testing Hili in Abu Dhabi demonstrates the UAE’s growing ability to deliver technologies with global impact,” he noted.
The test flight was attended by leaders from government and the private sector, underscoring strong cross-sector support for autonomous systems. Developed under an intensive engineering programme focused on precision and safety, Hili showcases how Abu Dhabi is rapidly transforming vision into deployable, scalable solutions.
The milestone reflects the strength of the UAE’s innovation ecosystem and highlights how strategic public-private collaboration is accelerating the shift toward sustainable, autonomous air logistics.