Vertical taps Hyundai supplier for Valo landing gear

The agreement expands the eVTOL programme’s supplier network as Vertical Aerospace advances toward certification and scaled aircraft production.

Vertical Aerospace has selected Hyundai WIA to develop and manufacture the landing gear system for its Valo electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft, further expanding the supplier network behind the UK company’s certification push.

The long-term agreement gives Hyundai WIA end-to-end responsibility for the design and production of a bespoke landing gear system for Valo, while UK engineering specialist Stirling Dynamics will support the programme as a design partner.

The partnership adds another major industrial supplier to Vertical’s eVTOL programme as the company works toward Critical Design Review and certification-conforming aircraft.

Vertical says Hyundai WIA’s lightweight landing gear solution and manufacturing background made it a strong fit for the programme. The supplier ecosystem for Valo already includes Honeywell for flight control and aircraft management systems, Aciturri for airframe structures, Evolito for electric propulsion units, Syensqo for composite materials and Isoclima for transparencies.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, says: “As we advance toward certification and industrialisation, securing world-class suppliers remains central to our strategy. Hyundai WIA brings deep expertise in advanced manufacturing and high-integrity systems, further strengthening the industrial foundation supporting Valo’s path to commercial service.”

Ho-Young Lee, vice president of Hyundai WIA, says: “We are proud to partner with Vertical Aerospace on the Valo programme and support the development of next-generation electric aviation. We look forward to working closely with Vertical and Stirling Dynamics to deliver a robust, innovative landing gear solution that meets the highest safety standards and performance.”

The announcement follows Vertical’s completion of two-way piloted transition flight, which the company described as a key milestone in validating the aircraft’s operating mode and underlying technology.

Vertical is now progressing toward Critical Design Review, which will establish the certifiable design baseline before certification testing and commercial production begin.