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News archive: Vertical Aerospace Ltd

Every Bulletin story and press release covering Vertical Aerospace Ltd, newest first.

Whole archive

23 items

2 July The agreement supports Vertical's progress toward Critical Design Review for Valo's certifiable design baseline.

Vertical adds Astronics to Valo supplier line-up

Astronics will supply the low-voltage power distribution system for Vertical's eVTOL aircraft under a long-term agreement.

10 June Preparations for the first pre-production aircraft will follow CDR completion.

Vertical advances certification with second Valo prototype flight

Expanded flight testing has doubled capacity as the company moves closer to Critical Design Review and pre-production aircraft assembly.

28 May Ho-Young Lee, Vice President of Hyundai WIA (centre-left), with members of the Hyundai WIA and Vertical Aerospace teams in front of Valo.

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.

9 April The achievement coincides with a financing package of up to $850 million to support entry into service.

Vertical proves full-scale eVTOL transition in piloted flight

A test flight at Cotswold Airport demonstrated vertical take-off and transition to wingborne flight, confirming a key capability required for Valo’s certification and commercial use.

25 March The Vertical Energy Centre has been upgraded with automated manufacturing processes to support certification and production.

Vertical advances Valo testing as battery production line goes live

The company strengthened its financial position during 2025, securing more than $175 million in capital to invest towards certification, testing and production.

12 February Evolito joins Honeywell, Syensqo and Aciturri as key suppliers on the Valo programme.

Evolito to power Vertical’s Valo eVTOL

A long-term agreement between the two companies supports certification plans and advances development toward commercial service in 2028.

7 August 2025 The piloted VX4 prototype undergoing flight testing at Vertical’s Flight Test Centre at Cotswold Airport.

Aciturri to supply entire VX4 airframe for Vertical

The company has agreed to manufacture and engineer the full VX4 airframe as part of Vertical’s wider Flightpath 2030 production and certification strategy.

29 May 2025 Vertical is the only company flying a piloted winged eVTOL under UK Design Organisation Approval.

VX4 completes historic piloted wingborne eVTOL flight in UK airspace

UK CAA permitted the wingborne flight following a detailed safety review, with data confirming stable, efficient and quiet performance in real conditions.

15 May 2025 Honeywell and Vertical Aerospace have strengthened their ties with a long-term agreement to certify and produce the VX4 electric aircraft.

Honeywell expands Vertical partnership for VX4 production

The companies' collaboration has been extended to certify flight deck and controls as they target 2028 for the VX4's airworthiness and delivery milestone.

9 January 2025 Vertical's VX4 prototype eVTOL, which completed its first piloted thrustborne flight manoeuvres.

Vertical Aerospace advances eVTOL testing with AI tools and flight milestones

The company has partnered with Monolith to optimise AI-powered testing and has completed its first piloted thrustborne manoeuvres, with wingborne tests next on the agenda.

31 July 2024 Vertical’s Chief Test Pilot, Justin Paines, the only pilot to have flown two different eVTOLs, conducts the new VX4’s first hover at 17:45 BST on 25 July 2024.

Latest VX4 prototype completes first tethered piloted flight

The VX4 previously undertook extensive ground testing, including powered propulsion testing of its advanced powertrain, which features proprietary battery packs capable of delivering 1.4 MW of peak power.

2 November 2023 Hanwha Aerospace and Vertical Aerospace signed an amendment to expand the partnership during the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX 2023).

Vertical extends the role of actuation experts on VX4

Hanwha will now be responsible for all actuation systems of the VX4. The development of actuation systems includes the design and mass production of the propeller tilt and pitch change mechanisms.

7 September 2023 The VX4.

Vertical concludes remote thrustborne flight test campaign

Vertical's VX4 was damaged during testing as a result of a fault with a propeller. A second upgraded prototype will fly early next year to keep certification on course.

3 August 2023 Each motor uses Equipmake's proprietary rotor design, with the magnets forming a Halbach array to maximise torque and minimise mass to deliver, while the inverter is matched to the motor for optimum power density.

VX4 features electric propulsion unit from Equipmake

The bespoke EPU from Equipmake combines a lightweight, power dense electric motor with a high-performance inverter, designed, developed and manufactured at its base in Snetterton, UK.

6 April 2023 As an approved Design Organisation, Vertical will have increasing authority and privileges as we progress through the design and certification programme of the VX4.

Vertical gains DOA as UK aligns with Europe

The UK CAA recently announced its intention to adopt European Union Aviation Safety Agency's Means of Compliance to SC-VTOL, the standards against which European and now UK manufacturers will design eVTOLs.

15 March 2023 The Vertical Aerospace Energy Centre

Vertical opens aerospace battery factory in Bristol

Operational ramp-up of Vertical’s battery manufacturing machinery has begun by assembling the first in-house developed prototype battery modules in the facility.

29 September 2022 Preparing for take-off.

Vertical's full-scale piloted eVTOL takes off

Chief test pilot Justin Paines took to the controls for the VX4's maiden take-off which saw the eight sets of propellers lift the aircraft from the ground at hover-thrust, while tethered to the ground for safety.

27 July 2022 Design and development activities have already started and are progressing, as Vertical's VX4 is targeting entry into service in 2025.

Actuator expert Hanwha joins the VX4 supplier cohort

The electromechanical actuators for Vertical’s VX4 electric aircraft will provide tilt and pitch control for the four forward propellers, and aerodynamic control surface actuation on the wing and V-tail.

6 July 2022 The Vertical VX4.

Molicel teams up to deliver fast-charge batteries for Vertical's VX4

Vertical says it reviewed the capabilities of dozens of cell manufacturers before selecting Molicel as its battery partner as it believes Molicel is uniquely placed to meet the performance and safety requirements of the VX4

10 February 2022 Vertical Aerospace says it will scale up to produce up to 2,000 VX4 electric aircraft per year.

Leonardo partners Vertical for VX4 composite fuselage

With a rapidly filling order book Vertical has brought the aerostructures development and manufacturing skills of Leonardo at Grottaglie on board to co-develop the fuselage of its VX4 eVTOL.

14 October 2021 Honeywell’s Anthem has already been selected by Vertical Aerospace and Lilium for their vertical takeoff and landing, all-electric aircraft, the VA-X4 and seven-seat Lilium Jet.

Honeywell unveils Anthem always-on cloud-connected cockpit system

Anthem supports growing levels of aircraft autonomy, leading to complete autonomous capabilities in the future as regulations allow. Honeywell says that flight plans can be uploaded without being near the aircraft.

23 September 2021 GKN Aerospace will provide the electrical wiring interconnection system (EWIS) and aerostructures for the VA-X4.

Vertical selects GKN for eVTOL electrical wiring

Vertical has assembled diverse expertise from experienced organisations to ensure it can accelerate its path to certification, de-risk execution, allow for a lean cost structure, and enable production at scale.

11 March 2021 Rolls-Royce’s electrical power system will be integrated into Vertical Aerospace’s VA-X4. (Photos: Vertical Aerospace)

Specialist team at Rolls-Royce lands first UAM deal

Rolls-Royce Electrical has passed an important milestone as it marks its first commercial deal in the UAM market and builds on previous agreements to work with partners on demonstrator programmes.