Vertical Aerospace has announced that the UK government has expressed interest in acquiring a military variant of its flying taxi, as the company progresses toward certification for passenger flights. The British startup also received an additional £10 million grant from the government, bringing total UK state funding to £48 million.
Public Demonstration at Farnborough
On Monday, Vertical Aerospace demonstrated its prototype Valo aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow, an industry event west of London. The flight marked the first public demonstration of the aircraft transitioning from conventional flight using its airplane wings to vertical descent, where four propellers tilt upward. The Valo flew onto the runway, hovered like a helicopter, and descended slowly to the tarmac.
The Valo is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, designed to operate quietly in built-up areas with no direct emissions, in contrast to helicopters. Several manufacturers are pursuing similar technology, aiming to revolutionize urban transport.
Challenges and Competition
However, the eVTOL sector has faced difficulties. An investment bubble during the COVID-19 pandemic burst, leading to the collapse of several companies. Vertical Aerospace itself encountered a cash crisis in 2024, resulting in the exit of founder Stephen Fitzpatrick and a takeover by US distressed debt investor Jason Mudrick.
The company is now pursuing certification from the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) for its entirely new aircraft. It competes with US rival Joby Aviation, which has demonstrated transitions from conventional to vertical flight in public tests from New York's JFK airport to Manhattan. Other competitors include Eve, owned by Brazilian jet maker Embraer, US startup Archer Aviation, and several Chinese firms.
Military Interest and Hybrid Option
Stuart Simpson, Vertical's chief executive, noted that the hybrid-electric variant—adding a gas turbine to the electric powertrain—opens up “dual use” for civilian and military applications. “It leverages the commercial airframe, but with a different powertrain, which the military are very interested in,” Simpson said. “Because silent takeoff and landing, you can cruise up to 1,000 miles in it, low noise signature, low heat signature – [it is] really interesting.”
Vertical confirmed that the UK government has expressed interest from the Ministry of Defence in the defence applications of its eVTOL, hybrid-electric, and autonomous capabilities. While the electric model offers zero direct CO2 emissions, the hybrid system could provide greater range and quicker refuelling, albeit with emissions from burning fossil fuels.
2029 Passenger Flight Target
Vertical plans to begin passenger flights in its four-seat Valo production aircraft in 2029, following a further delay to certification announced earlier this month. The company originally aimed for service by 2025. Simpson expressed confidence in the new timeline after discussions with regulators. “I set 2028 hand in hand with them,” he said. The CAA and EU Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) “both signed up to work towards 2028, and they’re both comfortable with 2029 because they knew they could do 2028.”
Manufacturing and Cost Projections
The government funding is linked to Vertical finalizing the selection of UK sites for its aircraft and battery facilities. The company plans to build about 150 aircraft annually at its existing facility in Kemble, Gloucestershire, but eventually seeks a larger site to produce 1,000 per year and assemble battery packs. Building in the UK is expected to facilitate certification.
Vertical claims flights will cost about the same as a taxi ride, as the same aircraft can perform multiple return trips in the time a cab takes for a journey like London Heathrow to the city centre.
