Heavy-lift drone developer Elroy Air has secured a major vote of confidence from the US Army. The California-based company announced it has been awarded a $46 million multi-year contract to further develop its autonomous hybrid-electric VTOL (vertical take-off and landing) cargo drone, with the goal of making it more capable of supporting troops in some of the military’s toughest operating environments.
The latest award builds on a series of Army contracts over the past two years and centers on enhancing Elroy Air’s Chaparral aircraft for modular, multi-mission cargo delivery. The company says the work will improve the drone’s ability to operate alongside service members in contested and austere environments, where traditional supply routes may be unavailable or under attack.
Beyond expanding the aircraft’s payload flexibility, the contract also covers several technologies that have become increasingly important for modern military operations. These include an expeditionary mobile mission planner, cyber-protected communication links, GPS-denied navigation, greater onboard autonomy, and improved reliability in harsh field conditions.
“This contract reinforces the critical role that heavy-lift autonomous hybrid VTOL drones will play in modern defense operations,” says Elroy Air CEO Dr. Andrew Clare. He adds that the company is excited to deepen its partnership with the US Army by delivering autonomous cargo capabilities that can improve operational efficiency while reducing risks for troops.
