On December 22, 2025, Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) announced the completion of its third and final full-scale prototype, a key milestone that will double the program’s flight testing capacity and enable public demonstrations beginning in 2026. The aircraft will commence piloted flight testing following its commissioning phase, scheduled for January 2026.

The new prototype is an exact replica of Vertical’s current test aircraft, which is undergoing transition flights at the company’s Flight Test Center in the UK, including a recent flight on December 19, 2025, with further test campaigns planned for the following weeks.

As the final prototype in the test program, this aircraft will allow Vertical to advance multiple test campaigns in parallel and increase the project’s public visibility. The aircraft integrates systems and technologies developed in partnership with key industry partners such as Honeywell, Molicel, and Syensqo, reinforcing the program’s technical maturity.

Testing will initially begin in a fully electric configuration, with the aircraft slated to be reconfigured to hybrid-electric propulsion during 2026, in line with the company’s technology roadmap. This progressive approach supports Vertical’s goal of completing fully piloted transition flights, an essential step toward certification and commercialization.

The announcement follows the recent unveiling of Valo, Vertical Aerospace’s next-generation certification aircraft, which is expected to enter commercial service after certification in 2028. As part of this program, the company plans to build seven Valo aircraft in the UK to support final testing in conjunction with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA).

Additionally, Vertical will begin a US tour with Valo in 2026, starting in New York in January, to showcase the aircraft to customers, industry partners, and stakeholders as it moves toward the next phase of certification and commercial deployment.

Source and Credits to Vertical Aerospace

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