News archive: Airframer · Vertical Aerospace Valo · Vertical Aerospace Ltd | Airframer

13 August

ReleaseVertical Aerospace provides H1 2026 business update

12 August

Vertical is retrofitting its third prototype aircraft for hybrid-electric flight testing due in the first half of 2027.

Vertical lines up $100m for Valo development

The funding follows a run of flight test and airshow milestones, including piloted eVTOL transitions demonstrated publicly at Farnborough.

22 July

ReleaseVertical Aerospace and Saudi Arabia's General Authority of Civil Aviation sign strategic agreement advancing air mobility certification and regulatory framework

20 July

ReleaseUK Government pledges broad package to anchor Vertical's first full-scale production sites in the UK

13 July

ReleaseVertical Aerospace shares business update ahead of Farnborough International Airshow

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.

19 May

ReleaseVertical Aerospace advances hybrid-electric testing and battery production

6 May

ReleaseVertical Aerospace provides first quarter update, achieves key execution milestones and advances toward certification

16 April

ReleaseVertical Aerospace achieves world first two-way piloted transition flight

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.

30 March

ReleaseVertical Aerospace assembles comprehensive financing package of up to $850 million

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.

10 February

ReleaseVertical Aerospace signs strategic MoU with AHQ Group and Saudi National Industrial Development Centre to accelerate AAM in the Kingdom

22 December

ReleaseVertical Aerospace doubles flight test capacity with final prototype

19 December

ReleaseVertical Aerospace progresses towards full piloted transition flight

9 December

ReleaseVertical Aerospace unveils Valo - the eVTOL aircraft set to redefine Urban Air Mobility and usher in a new era of flight

8 December

ReleaseVertical Aerospace partners with Syensqo to support industrialisation plan for the VX4 aircraft

13 November

ReleaseVertical Aerospace receives Permit to Fly approval allowing piloted transition testing to proceed

4 November

ReleaseVertical Aerospace provides third quarter update, demonstrating momentum on transition flight testing, business plan updates and best-in-class aircraft

17 September

ReleaseVertical Aerospace announces manufacturing facilities and updates on path to certification during Capital Markets Day

9 September

ReleaseVertical Aerospace prepares for final transition testing after successful wingborne flights

11 July

ReleaseVertical Aerospace announces closing of $60M underwritten public offering

29 May

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

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.

13 May

ReleaseVertical Aerospace provides first quarter 2025 operating update, demonstrating momentum towards certification and commercialisation

12 May

ReleaseVertical Aerospace announces 1,000-mile hybrid-electric VTOL programme to serve defence, logistics and wider commercial markets

11 March

ReleaseVertical Aerospace’s landmark year: advancing Flightpath 2030 with strong momentum

4 February

ReleaseVertical marks new era of progress with successful completion of latest piloted testing phase

24 January

ReleaseVertical Aerospace announces closing of upsized $90m underwritten public offering

9 January

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.

23 December

ReleaseVertical Aerospace finalises investment agreement

25 November

ReleaseVertical Aerospace announces $50 million in new funding as part of $180 million transaction that will strengthen its financial position and advance its Flightpath 2030 strategy

12 November

ReleaseVertical Aerospace launches "Flightpath 2030", a strategy to pioneer electric aviation

12 November

ReleaseVX4 achieves major milestone with launch of Phase 2 of piloted flight testing

12 September

ReleaseVertical's new VX4 prototype completes Phase 1 of piloted testing

31 July

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.

22 July

ReleaseVertical Aerospace begins testing on new VX4 prototype

17 July

ReleaseVertical Aerospace unveils most advanced and powerful full-scale VX4 prototype ahead of flight test programme

10 July

ReleaseUK Civil Aviation Authority expands scope of DOA for Vertical Aerospace and agrees certification co-operation with European Union Aviation Safety Agency

24 June

ReleaseLeonardo meets Italian trade unions and announces the consolidation of the process of diversifying its Grottaglie production site

20 February

ReleaseVertical wins new UK government backing to transform the future of flight

22 January

ReleaseVertical Aerospace founder backs company with additional $50M investment commitment

7 September

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.