Vertical Aerospace announced further progress in its hybrid propulsion and battery production programs, including the start of integration testing for its hybrid-electric system and the production of the first Valo electric battery on its upgraded assembly line.

The company reported that its hybrid-electric system has begun testing on the HYPER (Hybrid Propulsion Evaluation Rig) platform located at the Flight Test Centre at Cotswold Airport, UK. According to Vertical Aerospace, this system will allow for the validation of key components of the hybrid powertrain, including the turbine, generator, control architecture, and electrical systems, before future ground and flight testing.

The hybrid program aims to combine a turbine-driven generator compatible with SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel) with electrical systems developed for future hybrid variants of its Valo/VX4 eVTOL platform. Vertical Aerospace indicated that these configurations could increase range, payload, and operational flexibility compared to fully electric aircraft.

The company stated that it is working with various technology partners on the system’s development, while continuing to pursue future certifications with the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Additionally, Vertical Aerospace confirmed the production of the first Valo battery on its modernized assembly line within the Vertical Energy Centre, a roughly 15,000-square-foot facility focused on manufacturing aerospace battery systems.

According to the company, the new automated manufacturing capabilities aim to improve consistency, performance, and scalability for future certification and commercial production stages.

The batteries produced will be used in environmental testing, operational validations, and future aircraft intended for the VX4 certification process as Vertical Aerospace continues to advance toward the final development phases of its eVTOL program.

Source: Vertical Aerospace