Vertical Aerospace, a British manufacturer of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, announced that the UK government has indicated interest in acquiring a military version of its eVTOL aircraft. The company also received a £10m grant from the government, bringing total state funding to £48m.
The demonstration of the aircraft’s prototype occurred at the Farnborough international airshow, located west of London. During the public display, the aircraft performed a transition from conventional flight using its airplane wings to vertical flight mode, in which four of its propellers tilted upward. The aircraft then hovered and descended to the ground in helicopter-like fashion.
Vertical is advancing a certification process with the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority to enable passenger operations. The company initially targeted service by 2025 but subsequently delayed that goal and now plans for commercial flights carrying four passengers using its Valo production aircraft in 2029. Executives stated they worked with regulators to establish 2028 as a target, with 2029 representing an acceptable timeline. The manufacturer competes with Joby Aviation in the US market and other companies including Eve and Archer Aviation, among Chinese competitors.
The company is pursuing both fully electric and hybrid-electric powertrains. While the electric version produces no direct emissions, hybrid systems incorporating gas turbines could extend range and reduce charging time. According to Vertical’s chief executive, hybrid capabilities appeal particularly to military applications due to silent takeoff and landing characteristics, extended cruising range up to 1,000 miles, and reduced noise and heat signatures.
Vertical plans to produce approximately 150 aircraft annually at its existing facility in Kemble, Gloucestershire, with aspirations to expand to a larger site supporting production of 1,000 aircraft yearly and battery assembly operations. The company projects that fares would approximate typical taxi costs through multiple return trips per day.