The dream of a world where planes do not emit pollutants, where the sky is crossed by silent and sustainable vehicles, can be a little less distant thanks to Vertical Aerospace. The company just shared exciting updates on flight testing of its VX4 program.
A full-scale prototype of the VX4, a vertical take-off aircraft, brilliantly passed remote thrust flight tests in July 2023, reaching a target speed of 70 km/h. That's not all: the prototype demonstrated exceptional stability and control, exceeding performance targets by 10 to 30 percent during hovering and low-speed flights. A clear signal that the future of aviation is closer than we think.
A surprising performance
The VX4 is not just another prototype: it represents a technological leap in the world of aviation. Its ability to maintain a hover for a longer period of time than expected is impressive. This is usually the biggest challenge for a VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft. The thrust flight tests had the objective of verifying the reference parameters for stable flight. These include stability, battery efficiency, control characteristics, aerodynamics, structural loads, performance and vibrations. All these objectives were brilliantly achieved.
Beyond flight tests: the next phase
After successfully completing the remote push flight test campaign, Vertical Aerospace she didn't stop. They continued with additional unmanned flight tests to gain insight into the aircraft's performance under unexpected operating conditions. But as in any innovative path, there were also problems.
During one of the tests, for example, the aircraft encountered an unexpected failure that led to a forced landing. But, as the saying goes, “you learn more from failures than from successes”. Vertical conducted a thorough investigation, identifying the root cause of the problem as a first-generation propeller, which had already been redesigned before the accident.
Towards the finish line
Construction of a second, much more advanced VX4 prototype is already underway at the Global Technology Center in GKN Aerospace. This demonstrator is expected to be ready for flight testing in early 2024. Its components will include technologies from Vertical's key certification partners, such as GKN Aerospace, Rolls-Royce, Honeywell e Leonardo. Another aircraft, identical to the first, has been approved and is expected to fly in the second half of 2024.
In summary, a five-seater air taxi with a proprietary battery system and a 1 MW powertrain will soon take to the skies, with a range of 161 km and a speed of 325 km/h. Imagine hopping on one of these things for a quick trip across the city, or for a little “trip” out of town – the sky really is the limit.
