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UK Gov Backs Flying Taxis with £10M Boost
21 Jul
Summary
- UK government awarded £10m grant, totaling £48m in state funding.
- Military variant of eVTOL aircraft shows potential for defense applications.
- Production flights are now targeted for 2029 after certification delays.
Vertical Aerospace has received an additional £10 million in funding from the UK government, bringing the total state investment to £48 million. This funding is tied to the company's selection of UK sites for its manufacturing and battery facilities. The Ministry of Defence has also shown significant interest in a military variant of Vertical Aerospace's eVTOL aircraft, drawn by its potential for silent takeoff and landing, long range, and low signature.
The company demonstrated its prototype at the Farnborough airshow, showcasing its ability to transition from conventional flight to vertical hover. While the primary focus remains on electric-powered flights, a hybrid system is also being developed to extend range and enable dual civilian and military use.
Vertical Aerospace is navigating the complex certification process with the UK's Civil Aviation Authority. The target for commercial passenger flights using the Valo production aircraft has been revised to 2029, a shift from the original 2025 goal. This new timeline has received tentative agreement from aviation regulators. The company plans to establish manufacturing facilities in Kemble, Gloucestershire, with an initial capacity of 150 aircraft annually, aiming to scale up to 1,000 aircraft and battery packs per year at a larger future site. The goal is for flight costs to be comparable to traditional taxi fares.
