Air-Taxi Startup Vertical Goes Hybrid in Pivot Toward Defense

Air-Taxi Startup Vertical Goes Hybrid in Pivot Toward Defense

Vertical Aerospace Ltd is building a hybrid variant of its battery-powered air taxi, in a bet that a longer-range aircraft will attract investment from the lucrative defense sector.

Vertical Aerospace Unveils Hybrid-Electric VX4 VTOL with 1,000-Mile Range and 1,100kg Payload for Defense and

Following a landmark announcement this week, NYSE-listed Vertical Aerospace, led by CEO Stuart Simpson, has unveiled plans for a hybrid-electric variant of its VX4 vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, with testing set to begin as early as the second quarter of 2026. Speaking on NYSE TV Live, Simpson detailed an innovation poised to redefine urban air mobility, defense, and logistics—opening a new chapter for a sector long constrained by…

Ampaire reports FAA has approved airworthiness/environmental standards for its hybrid/electric engine

Ampaire Inc has announced that the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has approved the G-1 Issue Paper for its AMP-H570 hybrid electric propulsion system. “This approval establishes the airworthiness and environmental standards required for FAA Supplemental Type Certification, marking a significant milestone toward commercial deployment of Ampaire’s hybrid electric solutions,” said the company in a press release. “The FAA’s G-1 Issue Paper de…

Vertical Aerospace Announces “1,000-mile Hybrid-Electric VTOL Program to Serve Defence, Logistics and Wider Commercial Markets” - eVTOL Insights

Vertical Aerospace announced this week, it is developing a hybrid-electric VTOL variant of its VX4 aircraft, expanding range and payload capabilities to unlock new market opportunities, reports a press release. The release explains, “Vertical’s hybrid-electric strategy builds on its all-electric VX4 and Flightpath 2030 strategy, enabling new potential applications in defence, logistics and commercial sectors

Vertical Aerospace pivots to hybrid solution for VX4 - RotorHub International

Coming soon, hybrid power for a long-range, higher-payload VX4. Image: Vertical Aerospace Vertical Aerospace has announced it is developing a hybrid-electric variant of its VX4 eVTOL, which it said is aimed “at expanding the type’s range and payload capabilities”. Vertical Aerospace said this will make the type more attractive to a range of operators, including the defence, logistics, and commercial sectors such as air ambulance services, which …

Vertical Aerospace Unveils Hybrid-Electric Complement to eVTOL Air Taxi

Vertical Aerospace, which has been developing the VX4 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxi since 2016, on Monday revealed it is expanding its portfolio. The U.K. manufacturer said it will retrofit one of its VX4 prototypes with a hybrid-electric propulsion system it claims will deliver 10 times the range, with flight testing anticipated to begin in mid-2026. The all-electric VX4 has a range of 100 sm (87 nm) and is geared prima…