LODD secures orders for over 330 Hili aircraft

Abu Dhabi-based LODD Autonomous has secured orders for more than 330 Hili cargo aircraft through over 11 agreements with local and international partners since September 2025. More than 70 per cent of these agreements are with companies outside the UAE, indicating growing international demand for autonomous air cargo solutions.

The orders are expected to support the wider use of unmanned aircraft in middle-mile logistics, offering operators another way to move goods across regional and international markets.

Rashid Matar Al Manai, CEO, LODD Autonomous, said Abu Dhabi’s regulatory framework and infrastructure enabled the company to develop Hili in just 18 months, compared with five to seven years for similar programmes in other markets.

The hybrid vertical take-off and landing aircraft is designed to carry payloads of up to 250 kg over distances of around 700 km.

LODD is currently manufacturing additional aircraft and upgrading its technology. Operational testing is expected to conclude within two months, while technical testing is scheduled for completion by the end of 2026. Commercial trials are planned for mid-2027, with Al Ain serving as the initial testing ground before wider international deployment.