• 28 Feb 2022 03:37 PM
• 0

Elroy Air Reveals Chaparral C1, 500+ Orders

In Jan. 26, Elroy Air unveiled the Chaparral C1, a pre-production hybrid-electric VTOL drone for autonomous cargo delivery (see also “TVF2022: Vehicles and Volts”). In a press release, Elroy Air said that the Chaparral S1 can carry 300–500 lb (136–227 kg) of cargo up to 300 miles (482 km). The Chaparral features a turbine-driven hybrid-electric powertrain and the ability to conduct VTOL and forward-flight operations. The San Francisco-based company said that the Chaparral is an improvement on its initial prototype, which it revealed in 2019, and will represent an “important part of the future of express logistics.” The C1 features eight lift-propellers and four fixed tractor propellers mounted forward of the wing for cruise and yaw control. 

Elroy Air concurrently announced that Mesa Airlines, a US regional airline, has signed an intent to order 150 Chaparral aircraft for the express parcel and healthcare sectors. AYR Logistics, a global logistics firm for humanitarian projects, also intends to purchase 100 aircraft. In total, the company says it has commitments for more than 500 aircraft from customers in the commercial, defense and humanitarian sectors. In August 2021, Elroy completed a $40M Series A funding round led by Marlinspike Capital, Lockheed Martin Ventures and Prosperity7 Ventures.