A California-based drone manufacturer has signed a five-year agreement with a major defense contractor to serve as the exclusive US producer of its Chaparral hybrid-electric cargo drone. The agreement is designed to accelerate mass production, with initial assembly set for Sacramento, California, before full-scale operations shift to Oklahoma. The aircraft can autonomously carry up to 300 pounds (136 kilograms) of cargo over distances of 300 miles (483 kilometers). Designed for military resupply, disaster response, and commercial delivery, the hybrid-electric design combines fuel and battery power, allowing for quick refueling, in-flight recharging, and extended range. In trials conducted in August, the drone successfully transitioned from vertical takeoff to wingborne forward flight, improving efficiency and confirming performance milestones. Production of the first units is expected next year. The initiative will create new jobs, expand industrial capacity, and broaden supply chain contributions in the aerospace sector, supporting both defense and civil applications.
