Vertical Aerospace Unveils Hybrid-Electric Complement to eVTOL Air Taxi

The new model’s capacity, up to 2,425 pounds, is identical to its predecessor but can be configured for different payloads. It is also being developed to be flown crewed, remotely, or uncrewed, which Vertical said can be enabled by its Honeywell flight control system.

The manufacturer said it has already completed bench testing of the new propulsion system, which it believes will enable “best in class” performance. The hybrid-electric model would complement the less robust VX4, which Vertical aims to certify with the U.K.’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) by 2028. By the end of the decade, it is targeting 150 customer deliveries and a production rate of 200 aircraft per year. It claims to have about 1,500 VX4 preorders, including American Airlines’ 2021 commitment for as many as 250 aircraft.