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Elroy Air has been selected for the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) of the U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT). This program, launched under the initiative „Unleashing American Drone Dominance,“ aims to accelerate safe operations of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and advanced air mobility in the United States. Elroy Air is the only manufacturer whose specially designed heavy-lift cargo drone has been selected for the program, while other participants are primarily air taxi companies or firms that have retrofitted existing aircraft.
As part of Louisiana’s application, Elroy Air was selected along with partner Bristow Group. The Chaparral, an autonomous hybrid-electric VTOL drone from Elroy Air, capable of transporting up to 136 kg of cargo over distances of up to 480 km, will be used for cargo delivery along the Gulf Coast and to energy sector locations in Louisiana, Texas, and Mississippi. Operations are set to begin in 2026, paving the way for the use of the Chaparral’s autonomous capabilities in high-demand offshore and industrial environments.
Dr. Andrew Clare, CEO of Elroy Air, commented on the selection: „The Chaparral has been chosen to define the federal standard for unmanned heavy-lift logistics. This is only possible with a truly operational aircraft and a team that has been doing this work for years.“ Clare emphasized the strength of the partnerships with Bristow Group, as well as the support from the FAA and the rapid scalability through collaboration with Kratos.
Elroy Air’s selection demonstrates a strong interest from the federal government in specially developed autonomous systems for air cargo delivery in the „Middle-Mile“ sector. Participation in the eIPP provides Elroy Air with the opportunity to scale heavy cargo logistics systems in collaboration with the FAA. The Chaparral will be one of the first drones to be integrated into the national airspace system, without considering the challenges of passenger flight.
The Chaparral has been designed with speed, safety, and operational efficiency in mind, enabling modern logistics at a fraction of the cost of traditional manned aircraft. It can be deployed for various missions, from tactical resupply to humanitarian aid, ensuring that critical cargo reaches its destination safely and reliably. Elroy Air has a backlog of over 1,000 aircraft in the commercial and military sectors. To meet demand, the company announced a partnership with Kratos to scale production.
