en.Wedoany.com Reported - LODD Autonomous has officially launched the certification program for its Hili hybrid cargo aircraft with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA). This marks the transition of Hili from aircraft development and flight testing into the certification phase, a critical step in proving compliance with the highest airworthiness and safety standards before commercial deployment.
The Hili is a hybrid vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft designed and developed by LODD, based in Abu Dhabi. Capable of transporting payloads of up to 250 kilograms over a range of 700 kilometers, it is one of the longest-range cargo drone programs currently under development in the region.
Rashid Al Manai, CEO of LODD, stated that the launch of the Hili certification program represents one of the most significant milestones in the aircraft's development, reflecting the company's progress in design, engineering, and flight testing. Entering the formal certification phase demonstrates the maturity of the Hili program, driving it from development toward commercial operations and bringing it closer to delivering a UAE-developed, supervised autonomous cargo aircraft system. The aircraft is designed to transform the transportation of critical goods in the UAE, the region, and globally.
The certification program will include aircraft design approval activities, airworthiness compliance demonstrations, ground and flight testing, operational assessments, and safety evaluations to demonstrate compliance with relevant airworthiness and certification requirements, supporting future commercial operations. The program will be conducted under the oversight of the Smart and Autonomous Systems Council and in collaboration with the GCAA as the certification authority throughout the process. This is a significant milestone for LODD and the UAE aerospace sector, supporting the company's goal of certifying the Hili as the UAE's first designed, engineered, and certified advanced autonomous civil aircraft. The initiative is supported by key stakeholders in the Abu Dhabi aviation ecosystem, including the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility) and the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) through its Smart and Autonomous Vehicles Cluster (SAVI Cluster), reflecting a collaborative approach to advancing the development, certification, and commercial deployment of next-generation aviation technology in the emirate.
Eng. Aqeel Al Zarooni, Assistant Director General for Aviation Safety Affairs at the General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA), noted that the Hili certification program demonstrates the UAE's commitment to fostering innovation while maintaining the highest aviation safety standards. Advanced aircraft programs like the Hili play a vital role in aviation development and support the safe integration of next-generation technologies into the national aviation ecosystem. The GCAA will continue to support the development and certification of advanced aviation technologies through close collaboration with industry stakeholders, reinforcing the UAE's position as a global leader in aviation innovation.
Dr. Abdulla Hamad AlGhfeli, Acting Director General of the Integrated Transport Centre (Abu Dhabi Mobility), added that the certification of advanced autonomous aviation systems like the Hili represents a significant step forward in advancing Abu Dhabi's integrated mobility ecosystem. The Centre is committed to supporting the development of innovative transportation solutions to enhance efficiency, safety, and sustainability in the emirate. This milestone reflects Abu Dhabi's ongoing efforts to integrate next-generation aviation technologies into a connected and future-ready transportation network.
The certification program will focus on demonstrating the aircraft's compliance with applicable airworthiness, safety, and operational requirements through a structured plan of design reviews, compliance activities, system validation, flight testing, operational assessments, and certification approvals. Upon certification, the Hili is expected to support a range of commercial applications, including medium-range logistics, medical supply chains, maritime operations, humanitarian response, and regional cargo transport. As the program progresses toward certification, the Hili is poised to enhance the UAE's autonomous aviation capabilities and support the development of next-generation cargo transport networks from Abu Dhabi to regional and global markets.
Ali AlHashmi, Head of the SAVI Cluster at the Abu Dhabi Investment Office, stated that the Hili's entry into the formal certification phase is a testament to the strength of the collaborative environment established among industry, regulators, and ecosystem partners to support the development, testing, and commercial deployment of next-generation aviation technologies. Abu Dhabi continues to provide the infrastructure, regulatory framework, and business-friendly environment needed to accelerate the future of advanced aviation.
