UAE Unveils Its First Fully Electric Hybrid Cargo Aircraft

The United Arab Emirates has unveiled its first self-made hybrid cargo aircraft. On Thursday (13 November), the aircraft was inaugurated in Abu Dhabi by UAE President Sheikh Zayed bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The cargo aircraft, developed by UAE-based company Lud Autonomous, has been named “Heli.” It is termed a hybrid because it is a fully electric aircraft.

Matar Al Mannai, Chief Executive Officer of Lud Autonomous, told Gulf News that Heli can fly up to 700 kilometers continuously while carrying a maximum of 250 kilograms of cargo on a full charge.

He also stated that in remote areas or places with limited take-off and landing infrastructure, Heli is far more efficient than fuel-powered cargo aircraft.

Speaking to Gulf News, he said, “Our biggest challenge was to build an electric aircraft capable of flying long distances continuously. The batteries used in electric vehicles run out after a certain period, and once the charge is depleted during the journey, there may not be a place to recharge.”

He added, “To overcome this challenge, we specially designed Heli’s propellers to ensure smoother and faster movement. Additionally, Heli is equipped with a generator that activates when the battery charge runs out. This allows Heli to travel long distances without interruption.”

Matar Al Mannai said, “As the world increasingly shifts toward electric vehicles, Heli stands as a significant milestone.”

Khaborwala/TSN