Vertical Aerospace has signed Astronics Corporation to supply the low-voltage power distribution system for its Valo eVTOL aircraft. Under the long-term agreement, Astronics will provide power conversion and distribution hardware that manages and protects electrical power for avionics, flight controls and other flight-critical systems. The system converts high-voltage power from Valo's propulsion architecture into low-voltage power for onboard use.

Astronics has supported Vertical through the prototype phase of aircraft development and its hardware is already fitted to Vertical's piloted flight test aircraft.

“Building a certifiable aircraft requires not only breakthrough technology but also a world-class supplier ecosystem,” says Stuart Simpson, chief executive of Vertical Aerospace. “Astronics brings deep expertise in aircraft electrical power systems and has already demonstrated its capabilities through our flight test programme.”

Jon Neal, president of Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems, adds: “CorePower was designed from the ground up to meet aerospace certification standards, giving our customers a lightweight, compact solution that reduces integration risk and supports their path to type certification.”

The agreement adds to Valo's supplier line-up, which includes Honeywell for flight control and aircraft management systems, Aciturri for airframe structures, Evolito for electric propulsion units, Hyundai WIA for landing gear, Syensqo for composite materials and Isoclima for transparencies. It follows progress on the Valo programme as Vertical works toward Critical Design Review, establishing the certifiable design baseline ahead of certification-conforming aircraft production and testing.