UK military explores electric flying taxi as Vertical Aerospace targets 2029 launch
8 reported
British flying taxi startup Vertical Aerospace has reported that the UK government has expressed interest in purchasing a military variant of its aircraft, as the company works toward certification for passenger flights. The company demonstrated its prototype at the Farnborough international airshow on Monday, showing the aircraft transitioning from conventional to vertical flight. Vertical also received an additional £10 million grant from the government, bringing total UK state funding to £48 million. The company is pursuing certification from the UK’s Civil Aviation Authority and plans to launch flights with paying passengers in 2029, after a delay from its original 2025 target. Vertical is developing both an all-electric model and a hybrid system with a gas turbine, which the company says could enable longer range and military applications. The company survived a cash crisis in 2024 that led to the exit of founder Stephen Fitzpatrick and a takeover by US investor Jason Mudrick. Vertical intends to build about 150 aircraft per year at its existing facility in Kemble, Gloucestershire, with plans for a larger site to produce 1,000 annually.
What’s reported
Vertical Aerospace reported UK government interest in a military variant of its eVTOL aircraft.
The company received a £10 million government grant, bringing total UK state funding to £48 million.
A prototype was demonstrated at the Farnborough airshow on Monday, transitioning from conventional to vertical flight.
Vertical plans to launch passenger flights in 2029, after a delay from its original 2025 target.
The company is working on both an all-electric model and a hybrid system with a gas turbine.
Vertical faced a cash crisis in 2024, leading to founder Stephen Fitzpatrick’s exit and a takeover by US investor Jason Mudrick.
The company aims to build 150 aircraft per year at its Kemble facility, with a future larger site for 1,000 per year.
Vertical says flights should cost about the same as a taxi ride.
Key figures
Stuart Simpson, Vertical Aerospace chief executive
Stephen Fitzpatrick, founder of Vertical Aerospace (exited)
Jason Mudrick, US distressed debt investor (took over Vertical)
Sources: The Guardian
