American company Electra has chosen Safran Helicopter Engines as the supplier of turbogenerators for its hybrid-electric aircraft, the EL9 Ultra Short. The agreement covers the entire duration of the program and includes an initial order for 250 TG600 units.
The Safran TG600 turbogenerator will produce 600 kW of electricity for the EL9’s hybrid propulsion system. Its core technology is derived from the Arrano helicopter engine, which delivers an 18 percent improvement in fuel efficiency compared to the previous generation of engines. The system also incorporates two GENeUS electric generators developed by Safran Electrical & Power. Safran has already conducted initial bench tests of the flight-ready turbogenerator at its facility in Bordeaux, France. The company plans to use this unit during the EL9’s maiden flight trials.
Electra expects to begin initial test flights in late 2027 or early 2028, with commercial operations slated for 2030 following certification from the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA).
The standout feature of the EL9 is its short takeoff and landing technology, leveraging hybrid electric propulsion and a blown-lift wing system. According to Electra, the aircraft will require roughly 45 meters of runway, enabling it to operate from small airfields and landing strips that are inaccessible to typical regional aircraft.
Electra is promoting the “Direct Aviation” concept—point-to-point regional transportation without relying on major airport hubs. The company believes this approach can link cities and regions that currently lack convenient commercial air service. The program has already garnered support from Bristow Group, a leading provider of industrial aviation services in the United States, which signed a prepaid agreement to secure the first production slot after the aircraft’s certification.
The EL9 will be one of several projects in a new class of regional aircraft that blend electric propulsion with a traditional turbine engine. Electra forecasts demand for 12,000 to 16,000 such aircraft in the U.S. over the first decade of the “Direct Aviation” concept’s implementation. However, these plans hinge on the successful completion of testing and certification.
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