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.
The Army’s investment comes as the Department of Defense continues prioritizing “contested logistics” — the ability to keep supplies moving even when adversaries disrupt transportation networks. Reliable autonomous resupply is increasingly viewed as a critical capability for future conflicts, especially in environments where conventional trucks, aircraft, or helicopters may struggle to operate safely.
Chaparral is designed specifically for those scenarios. The autonomous aircraft can carry more than 500 pounds of cargo and does not require a runway or other fixed infrastructure for takeoff and landing. Instead, its VTOL design allows it to deliver supplies directly into remote or damaged locations.
The drone also combines electric propulsion with a hybrid powertrain to extend its range to up to 450 miles, while eliminating the need for charging infrastructure. According to Elroy Air, interchangeable mission pods let operators quickly switch between different payload types, giving military users greater flexibility as mission requirements change.
Earlier this year, the company showcased the platform during T-REX, the US military’s flagship technology testing event focused on accelerating the adoption of emerging defense capabilities. Looking ahead, Elroy Air says it plans to begin manufacturing Chaparral in the US later this year through an exclusive domestic partnership with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions.
While this latest contract is centered on military applications, Elroy Air continues to position Chaparral for commercial logistics, disaster response, humanitarian aid, and wildfire support — markets where long-range autonomous cargo delivery could eventually play a much larger role.
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