LODD Autonomous has conducted the first test flight of Hili, a hybrid heavy-lift cargo aircraft designed, built and manufactured entirely in Abu Dhabi, during an event held at the company’s flight testing facility at Emirates Falcons Aviation in Al Ain Region, as part of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week.

The flight was conducted in the presence of Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.

The Hili aircraft can transport payloads of up to 250 kg across distances of nearly 700 km, powered by a hybrid propulsion system that combines electric and internal combustion technologies within a modular design, ensuring high levels of efficiency, safety and sustainability in aerial cargo operations, said a WAM news agency report.

Sheikh Zayed reaffirmed that Hili’s successful first flight reflects Abu Dhabi’s leadership in the development of autonomous aviation and advanced logistics systems and embodies the emirate’s ambitious vision to transform innovation into applied solutions that drive economic and technological growth.

Rashid Al Manai, Chief Executive Officer of LODD Autonomous, said: “At LODD Autonomous, we align with the UAE’s vision for advanced air mobility and autonomous systems to strengthen the nation’s position as a global hub for future technologies. We extend our deepest appreciation to the UAE’s leadership for their ongoing support of advanced aviation and autonomous systems. This forward-looking vision has created a thriving environment for innovation, enabling us to design, manufacture and successfully test Hili, from Abu Dhabi to the world, showcasing the UAE’s capability to develop advanced technologies with global impact.

“We take great pride in witnessing the success of Hili’s first test flight, representing the culmination of years of work and innovation. This milestone is not merely a technical accomplishment, but a reflection of the UAE’s growing position as a global centre for technology and innovation in smart and sustainable air mobility.

“Through these achievements, LODD Autonomous continues to solidify its position as one of the UAE’s leading national entities in advanced air mobility, supporting the country’s vision to be a global destination for autonomous systems, logistics and future aviation technologies.”

The first test flight of the Hili aircraft, attended by senior representatives from government entities and private sector companies operating in air mobility and autonomous systems, marks a significant engineering and operational achievement that demonstrates Abu Dhabi’s growing capabilities in designing and manufacturing advanced aviation systems.

The aircraft was developed under an intensive engineering programme focused on safety, precision and quality, highlighting the emirate’s ability to transform a vision into tangible, real-world solutions with speed and efficiency.