LODD Autonomous has completed the first flight of Hili, a new hybrid vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) cargo aircraft designed, built, and tested in Abu Dhabi. The milestone, announced on November 13, 2025, took place at the company’s flight-test facility at Emirates Falcon Aviation in Al Ain as part of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week.
The flight is being described by LODD as a major step forward for the UAE’s ambitions in autonomous aviation and advanced logistics. Hili is the country’s first hybrid heavy-cargo UAV and represents the most significant demonstration to date of the UAE’s efforts to develop homegrown aerospace systems, the company said.
The aircraft was developed through what LODD says was an intensive, safety-driven development program. The company highlights the project as proof of the UAE’s ability to move quickly in VTOL development while meeting performance and quality requirements.
The vehicle is built around a hybrid-electric propulsion system and a modular airframe. It can carry up to 250 kilograms of cargo and has a range of up to 700 kilometres, which positions it for regional and cross-border logistics missions.
LODD said the first flight also reflects growing international interest in Abu Dhabi’s autonomous aviation ecosystem. As part of the event, the company announced several new partnerships with both local and international operators.
LODD is an autonomous aerospace company headquartered in Abu Dhabi. Founded in 2023, the company designs, develops, and deploys next-generation autonomous systems for cargo logistics.
Earlier this month, on November 3, LODD signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Etihad Cargo, making the carrier the first adopter of an aircraft designed and built in Abu Dhabi. LODD called the agreement a point of national pride and a sign of practical demand for locally developed logistics aircraft.
On November 10, during the Abu Dhabi Autonomous Summit, the company signed a collaboration agreement with EMX, supported by the Abu Dhabi Investment Office. The partnership is focused on integrating drone logistics into so-called smart-supply-chain operations.
LODD also signed an agreement with Skyports Drone Services during the first flight ceremony. Skyports operates drone delivery services for the Royal Mail, the UK National Health Service, and offshore energy companies including Equinor and RWE. The company sees Hili as a potential platform for expanding its heavy-lift and long-range operations.
In another deal announced at the event, LODD formalized an agreement with ST Engineering’s Commercial Aerospace business. ST Engineering is one of the world’s largest aerospace companies, and the partnership will focus on bringing Hili into the Asia-Pacific market. The agreement is part of a broader relationship between the two companies.
Rashid Al Manai, Chief Executive Officer of LODD Autonomous, called the aircraft’s first flight “a defining moment for LODD and for Abu Dhabi’s advanced aviation industry.” In prepared remarks, he said the aircraft was “designed, built, and flown in the UAE through an intensive, fast-paced, and safety-first program that reflects the strength of our engineering and national talent.”
He added that Hili represents “Abu Dhabi’s capability to deliver innovation for the world” and credited the UAE’s leadership for supporting the development of advanced autonomous technologies. “Their vision to develop a nationally enabling environment has allowed us to design, manufacture, and test Hili entirely in the UAE — for the world,” he said.
