Elroy Air Appoints Dr. Jason Rathje to Defense Advisory Board

Elroy Air has appointed Dr. Jason Rathje to its Defense Advisory Board, adding a leader with deep experience in national security investment and technology transition. Rathje previously served as the founding director of the Department of War’s Office of Strategic Capital, where he positioned the organization to manage up to two hundred billion dollars in credit authority to support critical technologies.

Expanding High Level Defense Expertise

Rathje joins a board that includes senior former U.S. government and military leaders such as Rear Admiral Lorin Selby, The Honorable Ellen M. Lord, General Richard D. Clarke, and Lieutenant General Michael G. Dana. The group provides strategic guidance as Elroy Air advances its autonomous cargo aircraft for both commercial and defense applications.

Perspective on Dual Use Technology Acceleration

Rathje noted that early government support through programs such as SBIR helped position Elroy Air to develop a flight proven platform with strong commercial and defense demand. He highlighted the company’s progress, including more than one thousand preorders, support for three branches of the Department of War, and a manufacturing partnership with Kratos. Rathje emphasized the importance of coordinated public and private investment in accelerating fielding of dual use systems.

Background in Defense Innovation and Technology Investment

Before leading the Office of Strategic Capital, Rathje co founded and directed AFVentures, the Department of the Air Force’s commercial investment arm under AFWERX. In that role he managed one point eight billion dollars in combined government and private capital to scale emerging technologies for Air Force operations. Rathje holds advanced degrees in strategy, policy, and aerospace engineering and currently serves as President of Public Sector for webAI.

Leadership Perspective on Elroy Air’s Trajectory

Elroy Air CEO Dr. Andrew Clare stated that Rathje’s experience building national security investment frameworks and advancing defense innovation aligns directly with the company’s development of the Chaparral system. Clare emphasized that Rathje’s combination of strategic insight and operational execution will support the company as it moves toward production and broader deployment.

Advancing Autonomous Cargo Capabilities with Chaparral

Elroy Air is developing the Chaparral, a vertical takeoff and landing aircraft designed to transport up to three hundred pounds of cargo across three hundred miles without onboard crew. The aircraft uses a hybrid electric powertrain to support high utilization and extended range without charging infrastructure. Chaparral is intended to meet the needs of commercial logistics operators as well as defense users requiring flexible, low risk resupply and rapid response capabilities.

About Elroy Air

Elroy Air develops autonomous aircraft systems and supporting software for express shipping, humanitarian aid, and military logistics. The company’s hybrid electric VTOL technology is designed to operate beyond traditional airport infrastructure, enabling new approaches to cargo transport and disaster response. Elroy Air is headquartered in Byron, California and is backed by leading venture capital firms and strategic investors from the aerospace and defense sectors.