Vertical and Leonardo team up for VX4 eVTOL

Vertical Aerospace and Leonardo have decided to collaborate in the development of the fuselage for Vertical’s VX4 electric aircraft. This was announced on 8 February 2022. Vertical Aerospace is a US pioneer in zero-emission aviation, listed on the New York Stock Exchange. Leonardo is well known for its development and production of both traditional fixed wing and rotary aircraft.

Vertical and Leonardo will work together on optimizing lightweight composite structures, modular design, systems installation, and structural testing for the co-development of the aircraft’s fuselage.

The two companies are now teaming up in the production of an initial six certification VX4 aircraft. In the future the production can be scaled up to an amazing 2,000 VX4s per year. Vertical has what it believes is the largest conditional pre-order book (by value) in the eVTOL industry, of up to 1,350 aircraft worth $5.4 billion from American Airlines, Avolon, Bristow and Iberojet, including pre-order options from Virgin Atlantic and Marubeni, and through Avolon’s placements, airlines JAL and Gol.

Vertical expects to begin the VX4’s test flight program later in 2022. The VX4 is paving the way for advanced air mobility and is expected to revolutionize the way we travel. The near silent, entirely electric, piloted aircraft is expected to have a range of over 100 miles and to reach top speeds of up to 200mph. With a four-passenger capacity, the zero operating emissions VX4 will also have a low cost per passenger mile, similar to that of a taxi.

Illustration: Vertical Aerospace