Elroy Air Completes First Point-to-Point Cargo Delivery With Hybrid-Electric VTOL Chaparral
Elroy Air, a pioneering developer of autonomous aerial systems for middle-mile logistics and military resupply, has achieved a major milestone in unmanned cargo transport. The company announced today that it successfully completed its first point-to-point cargo delivery using its groundbreaking hybrid-electric vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, the Chaparral.
This achievement marks a significant step forward in Elroy Air’s mission to revolutionize autonomous cargo transport, demonstrating the Chaparral’s capabilities in real-world operations. The aircraft represents the culmination of years of research, engineering, and collaboration with both commercial and defense partners, creating a platform designed to safely and efficiently deliver cargo over medium-range distances without the need for runways or onboard crews.
Introducing the Chaparral: A New Era in Autonomous Cargo Delivery
The Chaparral is an advanced VTOL drone engineered to carry up to 300 pounds of cargo across distances of up to 300 miles. Utilizing a hybrid-electric powertrain, the aircraft offers enhanced range, operational flexibility, and high utilization rates — all without the need for extensive charging infrastructure. The design focuses on meeting the evolving demands of commercial logistics providers, defense agencies, and humanitarian organizations seeking reliable and cost-effective aerial delivery solutions.
By combining vertical takeoff and landing capabilities with hybrid-electric efficiency, the Chaparral provides a compelling alternative to traditional piloted helicopters and ground-based logistics. Its autonomous operations allow for precise delivery of critical cargo, while minimizing risk to personnel, reducing operational costs, and accelerating mission timelines. The aircraft’s modular design further expands its utility, supporting a wide array of payloads and mission types.
The Historic First Flight
On December 10th, 2025, Elroy Air conducted the first official point-to-point cargo delivery using the Chaparral at the company’s testing facility in Byron, California. During the milestone flight, the hybrid-electric VTOL drone autonomously transported 213 pounds of cargo over a 2.6-mile route. The flight involved a vertical takeoff, acceleration to speeds of approximately 60 miles per hour, and a vertical landing at a location half a mile away. In a symbolic celebration of this achievement, the cargo delivered was lunch for the Elroy Air team, honoring their dedication to making the Chaparral vision a reality.
“This delivery demonstrates the operational value of Chaparral — an autonomous, hybrid-electric drone capable of transporting hundreds of pounds of cargo without relying on runways or extensive infrastructure,” said Andrew Clare, Ph.D., CEO of Elroy Air. “We wanted our first delivery to be meaningful, so we chose to deliver lunch to the team who has worked tirelessly to bring this concept to life. With this milestone completed and our 2026 production scaling efforts with Kratos well underway, Chaparral is ready to unlock unprecedented operational capacity for our commercial and defense customers.”
Modular Payload Design for Multi-Mission Capability
The initial delivery was executed using Elroy Air’s Hatch Load Pod, a rear-access cargo module designed to facilitate rapid ground operations and minimize handling requirements. The Hatch Load Pod exemplifies the modular approach that underpins the Chaparral platform. In addition to this pod, the aircraft can be equipped with a variety of mission-specific payloads, including:
- Express Pod: Optimized for small, high-priority packages requiring rapid delivery.
- Heavy Payload Pod: Designed for larger or bulkier cargo, maximizing the aircraft’s lifting capability.
- Pelican Case: Secure transportation for sensitive or valuable items.
- Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) Pod: Supports aerial monitoring, reconnaissance, and situational awareness operations.
- Climate-Control Pod: Maintains temperature-sensitive cargo within required ranges, suitable for medical or perishable items.
- Air Drop Pod: Enables rapid deployment of cargo in remote or inaccessible locations.
This modular design allows the Chaparral to adapt quickly to diverse operational requirements, from tactical military resupply missions to commercial logistics operations and humanitarian aid deliveries. By supporting multiple payload configurations, Elroy Air ensures the aircraft can meet the evolving needs of both commercial and government customers.
Collaboration With Defense and Commercial Partners
The Chaparral program has benefited from extensive collaboration with a range of partners, including the U.S. Air Force, the U.S. Marine Corps, allied defense forces, and logistics industry leaders such as FedEx and Bristow Group. These partnerships have informed both the design and operational capabilities of the Chaparral, ensuring the platform meets stringent safety, performance, and reliability standards.
“One of the most exciting aspects of developing Chaparral has been our ability to work closely with both military and commercial partners,” said Dave Merrill, Founder and Executive Chairman of Elroy Air. “This collaboration has allowed us to create a modular platform capable of flexing to meet countless missions and operational scenarios. While it’s rewarding to see Chaparral fly further, faster, and carry heavier payloads, what’s truly exciting is witnessing it rise to meet the unique and growing demands of our customers week after week.”
A Year of Milestones Leading to Point-to-Point Delivery
The first point-to-point delivery follows a year of significant achievements for Elroy Air and the Chaparral program. Earlier in 2025, the company successfully executed longer-range test flights, including multiple 25-mile missions in September. These tests validated the aircraft’s hybrid-electric powertrain, autonomous navigation systems, and payload handling capabilities, providing the foundation for operational deployments.
In addition, Elroy Air announced a strategic manufacturing agreement with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, designating Kratos as the exclusive U.S. manufacturing partner for the Chaparral. This partnership will accelerate high-volume production, ensuring that both commercial and defense customers can access the aircraft as the company scales operations. The collaboration with Kratos reflects Elroy Air’s commitment to quality, efficiency, and meeting the anticipated demand for autonomous cargo solutions.
Transforming Logistics and Resupply Operations
The Chaparral’s combination of autonomy, hybrid-electric propulsion, and modular payload capacity positions it as a transformative solution for middle-mile logistics and military resupply. Traditional cargo operations often rely on piloted aircraft or ground-based vehicles, both of which involve higher operational costs, increased risk, and infrastructure dependencies. By contrast, Chaparral delivers critical cargo with speed, safety, and flexibility, addressing the logistical challenges faced by commercial shippers and defense operators alike.
The aircraft is particularly suited for:
- Tactical Military Resupply: Rapid, autonomous delivery of supplies to frontline or remote units, reducing exposure of personnel to risk.
- Commercial Logistics: Efficient movement of goods between distribution centers, warehouses, and retail hubs without relying on conventional truck or air routes.
- Humanitarian Aid: Timely delivery of food, medical supplies, or equipment to disaster-affected or inaccessible regions.
- Specialized Cargo Transport: Using its modular payloads, Chaparral can carry sensitive, temperature-controlled, or high-value items, expanding operational versatility.
With the successful completion of its first point-to-point delivery, Elroy Air is now focused on scaling production, expanding operational deployments, and continuing to refine the Chaparral platform. The company aims to deliver aircraft to commercial and defense customers who require flexible, high-capacity autonomous cargo solutions.
“Our journey with Chaparral is just beginning,” said Andrew Clare. “As we continue to scale production and deploy more aircraft, we look forward to seeing the operational impact this platform can have — from commercial supply chains to defense logistics. The ability to deliver cargo autonomously, quickly, and safely represents a paradigm shift in how goods move around the country and the world.”
Elroy Air’s successful first point-to-point cargo delivery with the Chaparral VTOL drone underscores the company’s role as a leader in autonomous aerial systems. By combining hybrid-electric propulsion, autonomous operations, and modular payloads, the Chaparral sets a new standard for efficiency, safety, and versatility in middle-mile logistics and resupply operations.
As the company moves into 2026 and beyond, Chaparral is poised to unlock new operational capabilities for commercial and defense partners, demonstrating the potential of autonomous aerial transport to reshape the logistics landscape. With continued innovation, strategic partnerships, and a focus on mission-focused delivery, Elroy Air is establishing a blueprint for the next generation of cargo aviation.
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