Electra and Safran Reach Development and Production Agreement for TG600 Turbogenerator to Power EL9 Hybrid-Electric Aircraft
Electra’s groundbreaking Ultra Short aircraft is the key to unlocking Direct Aviation, giving people the freedom to travel from where they are to where they want to go.
Manassas, Virginia, 15 July 2026 — Electra, the global leader in ultra‑short hybrid‑electric aviation, and Safran Helicopter Engines today announced a life‑of‑program production agreement for the TG600 turbogenerator, which will power Electra’s EL9 Ultra Short hybrid‑electric aircraft.
The agreement marks a significant milestone in the development and certification of Electra’s EL9 Ultra Short, with entry into service expected in 2030. Under the agreement, the TG600 will become the heart of the EL9’s hybrid‑electric propulsion system. It follows a 2023 memorandum of understanding and includes an initial order for 250 TG600 turbogenerators to allow production to scale with EL9 demand.
Electra’s EL9 is designed with hybrid‑electric propulsion and blown‑lift technology, enabling takeoff and landing in just 150 feet and operations from locations closer to where people live, work, and play.
“This agreement is a defining step forward for Electra and for the future of advanced air mobility,” said Marc Allen, CEO of Electra. “With this announcement, Safran is cementing its position as a leader in the next era of aviation. Their technical leadership in hybrid‑electric, innovative spirit, and long‑term partnership are critical as we bring the EL9 Ultra Short to market and unlock a new model of direct flight.”
A turbogenerator combines a gas turbine with one or more electric generators and an innovative system for electrical power and voltage regulation. The TG600 will supply 600 kW of electricity and will be developed based on Safran Helicopter Engines’ Arrano engine, which offers an 18% reduction in fuel consumption over the previous generation. It will also be equipped with two GENeUS electric generators supplied by Safran Electrical & Power. In July, Safran Helicopter Engines carried out the first bench test at its Bordes site of the first turbogenerator that will be flight‑ready for EL9 initial flight tests.
“The signing of this contract marks a major milestone in our collaboration with Electra and signifies the official launch of our turbogenerator activities, a promising new chapter that complements our leadership in turboshaft technology,” said Cédric Goubet, CEO of Safran Helicopter Engines. “We are delighted with the strong partnership we have forged with Electra and are proud to offer the best of our engine technology combined with Safran Electrical & Power’s electrical systems know‑how. We believe we have the most advanced and efficient hybrid‑electric product in its class, a perfect fit for the EL9 to achieve revolutionary capabilities in new air mobility.”
Electra views aviation as entering a third era of flight defined by new electric‑propulsion technologies that enable Direct Aviation, a model designed to let people travel directly from where they are to where they want to go while avoiding long drives, congested airports, and time‑consuming connections.
Based on Electra’s Direct Aviation Market Outlook, route and passenger demand will require 12,000 to 16,000 aircraft over the first ten years of operations for a nationwide fleet of regional shuttles.
Earlier this year, Electra and Bristow Group Inc. announced a Pre‑Delivery Payment agreement with non‑refundable deposits and binding terms aligned to commercial aviation industry standards, subject to aircraft certification, securing the first delivery slot for the EL9 Ultra Short with the TG600.
Electra has submitted the EL9 Ultra Short to the FAA for Part 23 type certification and anticipates a first flight in late 2027 or early 2028.
By combining Electra’s Ultra Short architecture with Safran’s propulsion and power‑system capabilities, the companies aim to build a new category of aircraft to expand air access, improve regional connectivity, and transform how people and goods move through the skies.
About Safran
Safran is an international high‑technology group operating in the aviation (propulsion, equipment and interiors), defense and space markets. Its core purpose is to contribute to a safer, more sustainable world, where air transport is more environmentally friendly, comfortable and accessible. Safran has more than 110,000 employees and 2025 revenue of €31.3 billion, and holds, alone or in partnership, global or regional leadership positions in its core markets.
Safran is listed on Euronext Paris and is part of the CAC 40 and Euro Stoxx 50 indices.
Safran Helicopter Engines is the world’s leading manufacturer of helicopter engines, with more than 75,000 produced. It offers the widest range of helicopter turboshafts in the world and has more than 2,500 customers in 155 countries.
About Electra
Electra.aero, Inc. (Electra) is an advanced air mobility (AAM) company building hybrid‑electric Ultra Short airplanes that deliver unprecedented performance to fly people and cargo seamlessly without airports, emissions, or noise. With the EL9 Ultra Short, Electra is pioneering Direct Aviation, bringing air travel closer to where we live, work, and play. Electra’s Ultra Short technology delivers 2.5× the payload and 10× longer range with 70% lower operating costs than helicopters and eVTOLs, with significantly greater safety and reduced certification risk.
Electra’s team includes leading entrepreneurs and engineers in novel aircraft design, with over 40 prior aircraft successfully developed and/or certified. Strategic investors include Lockheed Martin Ventures, Honeywell, and Safran Corporate Ventures, alongside Prysm Capital, the Virginia Innovation Partnership Corporation (VIPC), and other private investors. Contracted customers include the U.S. Air Force, U.S. Army, U.S. Navy, and NASA, plus over 2,200 letters of intent from 60+ commercial customers.
Source: Safran Helicopter Engines and Electra
