Abu Dhabi: LODD Autonomous successfully carried out the first test flight of ‘Hili,’ a hybrid heavy-lift cargo aircraft fully designed, developed, and manufactured in Abu Dhabi.
The milestone test flight, held as part of Abu Dhabi Autonomous Week, took place at the company’s flight-testing facility at Emirates Falcons Aviation in Al Ain, in the presence of His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan.
The Hili aircraft is capable of transporting payloads of up to 250 kilograms over distances of nearly 700 kilometers. It operates on a hybrid propulsion system that merges electric and internal combustion technologies within a modular design, ensuring high standards of efficiency, safety, and sustainability in aerial cargo operations.
بحضور زايد بن محمد بن زايد، شركة "لود أوتونومس" تُجري أول رحلة تجريبية للطائرة "هيلي" على هامش فعاليات "أسبوع أبوظبي للأنظمة ذاتية الحركة"، وسموّه يُشيد بالتقدّم النوعي الذي حققه قطاع صناعة الأنظمة الذكية وذاتية القيادة في مجال حلول التنقّل الجوي على مستوى إمارة أبوظبي. pic.twitter.com/vq1RigiUgm
— مكتب أبوظبي الإعلامي (@ADMediaOffice) November 13, 2025
His Highness Sheikh Zayed bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stated that the successful first flight of Hili reflects Abu Dhabi’s leadership in autonomous aviation and advanced logistics, translating innovation into practical solutions that support economic and technological growth.
Sheikh Zayed also commended the progress made by the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council in advancing the development and production of intelligent and autonomous systems, especially in advanced air mobility.
His Highness further highlighted that this accomplishment aligns with the leadership’s vision to empower national talent, foster local innovation, and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s position as a global hub for sustainable air mobility and autonomous technologies.
Speaking at the event, His Excellency Faisal Abdulaziz Al Bannai, Advisor to the UAE President for Strategic Research and Advanced Technology Affairs and Secretary-General of the Advanced Technology Research Council (ATRC), described the milestone as a key step in accelerating the air mobility and logistics sector.
Al Bannai emphasised that Hili’s success showcases Abu Dhabi’s vision and continued investment in developing globally competitive innovations within the UAE.
Rashid Al Manai, Chief Executive Officer of LODD Autonomous, said that, “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,” Al Manai added.
The CEO highlighted that, “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.”
Al Manai noted that, “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 inaugural flight of Hili, attended by senior officials from government entities and private sector firms active in autonomous aviation, marks a major engineering and operational milestone that underscores Abu Dhabi’s advancing capabilities in designing, manufacturing, and testing cutting-edge aviation systems.
Developed under a rigorous engineering program prioritizing safety, precision, and quality, Hili demonstrates Abu Dhabi’s ability to turn visionary concepts into real-world solutions efficiently.
The project’s success stems from broad strategic collaboration, reinforcing international confidence in the UAE’s innovation ecosystem and highlighting Abu Dhabi’s public-private partnership model as a catalyst for advancing autonomous technologies and sustainable air mobility solutions.
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