A Mile Stone for Electric Air Taxis: Honeywell Collaborates with Vertical Aerospace on VX4 eVTOL
Aerospace company Vertical enlists Honeywell's assistance in securing certification for their VX4 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle.
Air taxi manufacturer Vertical Aerospace announces an extended partnership with tech giant Honeywell, striving to expedite the certification process for its four-seater electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle, the VX4. The partnership aims to certify two critical systems for the VX4: the aircraft management system, featuring Honeywell's Anthem flight deck, and the flight control system, based on Honeywell's compact fly-by-wire system.
Michael Cervenka, Vertical's president, explains the reasons behind the collaboration, stating that was essential. Additionally, he highlights that Honeywell recently formed a dedicated Urban Air Mobility business, which proved to be a crucial factor.
In the scope of the deal, Vertical has chosen new, Honeywell-designed inceptors for the VX4's production aircraft, promising enhanced pilot safety. "We wanted a compact, lightweight solution, and Honeywell's offering fits the bill perfectly," Cervenka adds.
The VX4 is geared for zero-emission operations with a top speed of 150 mph and a range of 100 sm, making it suitable for regional transportation as well as corporate travel, emergency services, and military missions. The model boasts a noise output of 50 dBA during cruise, allowing it to integrate quietly into urban environments, and garnered around 1,500 preorders thus far.
After facing delays in the certification process, Vertical has twice revised its timeline, extending it by two years, to 2026. The aircraft suffered a setback with a crash in August 2023, pushing back crewed tether flights to 2024. Since then, it has completed more than 30 untethered, crewed flights and shifted to wingborne testing. However, in November, Vertical postponed the model's entry into service by another two years, to 2028.
Vertical also unveiled its "Flightpath 2030" blueprint in November, aiming to deliver 150 aircraft to customers by the end of the decade, along with achieving an annual VX4 production rate of 200 by the end of 2028. The company targets producing 700 units per year in the medium term. The contract with Honeywell is predicted to yield $1 billion in value if these targets are met.
Vertical and Honeywell's partnership dates back to 2019, when they signed an initial agreement for Vertical's use of Honeywell's fly-by-wire system and flight control software. Later, Vertical chose the Anthem flight deck, and now plans to embed Honeywell's new inceptors in the VX4 cockpit. These state-of-the-art hand controllers promise pilots better precision and control over the aircraft.
Rich DeGraff, president of control systems for Honeywell Aerospace Technologies, states, "Our inceptor is the lightest and most compact in the industry, and we're thrilled that Vertical will be the first to use this cutting-edge technology."
With wingborne flight testing underway, Vertical is striving to release a third VX4 prototype and commence full-scale, piloted testing by the end of 2025. This will put the aircraft through real-world challenges, setting the stage for commercial deployment.
| Key Insights || --- || ### Certification Timeline Progress || The VX4 has successfully completed the Phase 3 certification process and started wingborne flight testing in early 2025, moving one step closer to commercial deployment. || ### Expected Milestones || - Transition: The VX4 prototype is expected to transition between thrustborne and wingborne flight modes by the end of 2025. || - Type Certification: Vertical aims to achieve type certification for the VX4 by 2028. || Sign up today for our exclusive weekly newsletter to stay updated on the latest advancements in the world of technology and innovation! |
- The aviation industry is touting a significant milestone as air taxi manufacturer Vertical Aerospace collaborates with Honeywell to expedite the certification process for their electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle, the VX4.
- Vertical Aerospace and Honeywell are focusing on certifying two critical systems for the VX4: the aircraft management system, featuring Honeywell's Anthem flight deck, and the flight control system, based on Honeywell's compact fly-by-wire system.
- Michael Cervenka, Vertical's president, emphasized the importance of partnering with an experienced technology company like Honeywell, who has expertise in certification.
- In the future, the VX4 eVTOL is expected to offer zero-emission operations with a top speed of 150 mph and a range of 100 sm, making it suitable for regional transportation, corporate travel, emergency services, and military missions.
- The cockpit of the VX4 will feature new, Honeywell-designed inceptors, delivering enhanced pilot safety and improved precision during flight.
- With the partnership, Vertical Aerospace aims to deliver 150 aircraft to customers by the end of the decade and achieve an annual VX4 production rate of 200 by the end of 2028, producing 700 units per year in the medium term, estimated to generate a $1 billion contract with Honeywell.
- The collaboration between Vertical Aerospace and Honeywell originally began in 2019, when Vertical adopted Honeywell's fly-by-wire system and flight control software, followed by choosing the Anthem flight deck, and now includes the integration of Honeywell's new inceptors in the VX4 cockpit.
- The VX4 is set to undergo wingborne flight testing in 2025, striving for commercial deployment with the release of a third VX4 prototype and full-scale, piloted testing by the end of 2025. Such real-world challenges will set the stage for future advancements within the technology, transportation, automotive, and aerospace industries.
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