Vertical Aerospace has extended the scope of its collaboration agreement with Hanwha Aerospace for its VX4 electric aircraft.

Hanwha will now be responsible for all actuation systems of the four-passenger air taxi. The development of actuation systems includes the design and mass production of the propeller tilt and pitch change mechanisms.

“The strong relationship between the two companies has been firmly established by participating in the development of electro-mechanical actuation [EMA] and demonstration aircraft,” said Jae-il Son, the CEO and president of Hanwha Aerospace. “The expansion of our business with Vertical to include a top electric actuator system is excellent as Hanwha has been recognized for our competitiveness in system technology in the future mobility field.”

The VX4 aircraft is a one pilot, four passenger aircraft, targeting Type Certification towards the end of 2026.

“There has been an opportunity to cooperate with Hanwha in the development of our prototype VX4s that will continue through to the production aircraft; it started with the development of EMA, and now our partnership has deepened by expanding to critical aircraft mechanical systems,” explained Michael Cervenka, CTO of Vertical Aerospace.

Vertical Aerospace’s next VX4 prototype is now being assembled in the UK and will incorporate Hanwha’s technology. The next demonstrator aircraft will fly in the UK in early 2024.

The company has already secured more than 1,400 orders from global customers such as American Airlines, Virgin Atlantic, JAL, Avolon, and Bristow, as well as Korean mobility technology company Kakao Mobility for the VX4.

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