Vertical Aerospace, a global aerospace and technology company pioneering electric aviation, today provided a business update highlighting significant operational, strategic and financial progress during and subsequent to the first half of 2026 as it advances its Valo aircraft platform towards certification and commercialisation.

The Company's H1 2026 financial results 6-K filing has been filed with the Securities Exchange Commission and is available on its Investor Relations website.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said:

"2026 year-to-date has been one of the most significant periods in Vertical's history. We achieved major flight test milestones, demonstrated our aircraft's maturity through five consecutive days of flying at Farnborough, expanded the ecosystem around the aircraft and strengthened our financial position. Together, these achievements reflect disciplined execution against our certification and commercialisation roadmap.

We believe our one-platform strategy gives Vertical a distinct competitive advantage as the advanced air mobility market evolves. By developing electric, hybrid-electric and increasingly autonomous capabilities on a common aircraft platform, we can address a broad range of commercial and defence applications while leveraging a shared certification, manufacturing and operating ecosystem. This approach is designed to shorten development timelines, improve capital efficiency and reduce operating complexity, positioning Vertical to pursue multiple market opportunities and deliver long-term value, as we progress toward commercialisation."

Recent highlights

Demonstrating the maturity of the aircraft

Significant progress across its piloted flight test programme as Vertical continued advancing towards certification.

– In April, became only the second company globally to complete a piloted transition flight in a full-scale tiltrotor eVTOL. By August, its latest full-scale prototype had achieved the same milestone just over two months after beginning flight testing, progressing rapidly through thrustborne, wingborne and then transition flight this week.

– Completed the first piloted eVTOL transition demonstrations at the Farnborough International Airshow, successfully flying five consecutive days in front of more than 140,000 visitors.

– Operated from multiple military and civil airports, building operational experience in real world environments.

Strengthening an ecosystem to serve multiple markets

Vertical continued to strengthen the ecosystem required to support long-term commercial operations for its Valo electric and hybrid-electric platform across a broad range of commercial, government and defence applications.

– Expanded its defence strategy through a partnership with Near Earth Autonomy, a proven provider of autonomous flight systems, supporting Valo's common platform strategy across commercial and defence markets.

– Continued development of its hybrid-electric aircraft programme, including integration testing for its next-generation propulsion system, while the UK Ministry of Defence confirmed interest in Vertical's hybrid-electric and autonomous capabilities.

– Continued investment in Vertical's proprietary battery technology while launching the UK Government-backed ECLiPSE programme to develop next-generation charging and thermal management technologies designed to support the electric aviation market and Vertical's reoccurring battery revenue opportunity.

– Joined Honeywell Aerospace-led Project VERTI-GO, Europe's equivalent of the FAA's eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), to support the safe integration of eVTOL aircraft into European airspace, while continuing engagement with six regulators across key international markets.

Building the manufacturing capability to scale

Vertical is building the manufacturing capability needed to support early production, future industrial scale-up and long-term commercial growth.

– Entered advanced discussions with the UK Government regarding up to £10 million ($13.5 million) support for the first of its planned production facilities.

– Continued progress on its early aircraft assembly facility at Cotswold Airport and expanded Vertical Energy Centre, both due to open later this year.

– Signed a non-binding Memorandum of Understanding with UK Export Finance to establish a framework for potential export-linked and customer financing support.

Funding and financial outlook

– Announced financing commitments of approximately $100 million from existing and new investors to support continued progress towards certification and commercialisation.

– The Company had approximately $134 million (£99 million) in cash and cash equivalents as of August 13, 2026.

– Short-term liquidity, together with the remaining proceeds from the financing commitments expected on or about August 13, 2026, and anticipated future draws under available facilities, is expected to provide at least 12 months of runway.

– Expected net cash outflows of approximately $150 million (£110 million) over the next 12 months, reflecting continued investment in certification, manufacturing readiness and hybrid-electric development.

Upcoming milestones

– Critical Design Review expected by 2026 year-end, which establishes the certifiable design baseline for its aircraft and enables the build and test of certification-conforming aircraft.

– The opening of Vertical's early aircraft production facility in Q3 2026 and its expanded Energy Centre, which will triple battery production capacity over time, in Q4 2026.

– Development of future production capabilities, including the planned establishment of production facilities in the UK.

– The retrofit of the Company's latest prototype aircraft for hybrid-electric flight testing in the first half of 2027.

Joining the H1 webcast

Vertical will host a webcast at 08:30 am ET (13:30 BST) today to discuss the first half progress. The call will be hosted by Stuart Simpson, Vertical's CEO, joined by Simon Davies, Vertical's Chief Test Pilot, and Michael Cervenka, Vertical's Chief Commercial & Strategy Officer.

A replay will be available on the Company's website following the event.