Vertical Aerospace has brought its battery pilot production line online, while also advancing flight testing of its Valo eVTOL aircraft toward certification.

The new automated battery line at the Vertical Energy Centre will produce packs for certification aircraft and support initial commercial production, using aerospace-grade processes to improve consistency and performance.

At the same time, the company has progressed its flight test programme, completing hover, vertical and wingborne flight phases and beginning transition testing under UK Civil Aviation Authority oversight. A third full-scale prototype has also been completed and has entered ground testing ahead of further flight activity.

Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, says: “We’ve made strong progress across the business – achieving key piloted flight milestones, advancing transition testing and launching Valo to the market. The response from customers and partners has been very encouraging, with renewed order activity and growing confidence in our programme. We are now firmly focused on certification and scaling production.”

Vertical launched its Valo aircraft in 2025 and has reopened its order book, with recent activity including orders from JetSetGo and Heli Air Monaco.

Battery systems remain a core in-house technology and are expected to generate recurring revenue, with around 20 packs supplied per aircraft over its lifetime and long-term production projected to scale significantly.

Manufacturing capability is expanding further through a second facility, VEC2, while additional space at Cotswold Airport is intended to support output of more than 25 aircraft annually.