LCI has signed for up to 40 Chapparal hybrid VTOLs from Elroy Air. The agreement is a 50/50 firm-to-options split. Elroy’s Chaparral is an autonomous aircraft which Elroy says will be able to deliver a 500 lb (225 kg) payload with a range of up to 300 nm. Notable is the type’s hybrid turbine/electric power plant which the company says will deliver greater service flexibility and improved turn round times compared with all-electric alternatives.
Commenting on the announcement, LCI CEO Jaspal Jandu said, “This commitment for the pioneering Chaparral system will enable us to efficiently support mission-critical, remote logistical work and socially responsible humanitarian efforts around the world. It will do so in complement with the wide-ranging capabilities of our existing fleet.”
