Lockheed Martin Skunk Works is helping Electra Aero to accelerate the development of its EL9 hybrid-electric, ultra-short takeoff and landing airplane. The U.S. defense group’s advanced technology unit will help Electra with digital engineering, manufacturing, supply chain and sustainment preparations, and global business development. The Skunk Works and Electra teams will also jointly assess opportunities to work on programs of record with the U.S. Department of Defense and foreign military agencies.

American advanced air mobility pioneers are poised to lead the world in launching commercial eVTOL air services, but only if they embrace opportunities to work across borders rather than taking a parochial approach, according to industry leaders speaking at a session staged by the state of Ohio at the Paris Air Show. In a panel discussion, senior executives from Archer Aviation, Beta Technologies, and Wisk Aero also heard that, to make the business model viable, the eVTOL industry will need to achieve unprecedented rates for both manufacturing and flight operations.

EASA has signed a pre-application contract with Elfly covering the development of a conceptual prototype for its Noemi electric seaplane. The agreement, signed on June 18 at the Paris Air Show, is a step toward achieving type certification for the nine-passenger aircraft in 2030. Elfly recently completed a concept-freeze review of the prototype, which it expects to start flying in 2027.

European business aviation operator ASL Group will be the launch customer for Vaeridion’s Microliner electric aircraft. The German start-up announced the agreement last week during the Paris Air Show and also named members of its market advisory committee, which will include Aero-Dienst, Cirium, Copenhagen Air Taxi, CPH Helicopters, IBA, KLM, MBA, Monte, and TrueNoord. Work to develop the aircraft, which will seat up to nine passengers, is now backed by partners including battery specialist Evolito and MT Propeller, as well as GKN Aerospace, Dassault Systèmes, and Bosch.

Malaysian flight school HM Aerospace has agreed to buy 15 of VoltAero’s Cassio 330 hybrid-electric aircraft. The deal signed on June 18 at the Paris Air Show also covers options for another 15 examples and is subject to the French manufacturer achieving EASA type certification with validation by Malaysia’s civil aviation authorities.

Aernnova will supply the empennage for Deutsche Aircraft’s D328eco regional airliner. According to the German airframer, it has now selected all the primary structures suppliers for series production of the 40-seater modernization of the former Dornier 328 design. Spain-based Aernnova will provide build-to-print assemblies for the D328eco, including the composite empennage and a metallic tail cone.

Regent Craft has begun crewed hydrofoil tests with its all-electric Viceroy seaglider prototype, paving the way for the first wing-in-ground effect flight tests in the third quarter. In foil mode, the seaglider rises from the water and accelerates to speeds of up to 50 knots before takeoff. When flying in ground effect, it will soar one wingspan above the water’s surface at 160 knots.