Vertical Aerospace has a plan to capitalize on Europe’s defense tech moment

Russia’s war in Ukraine and President Donald Trump did not want to support NATO allies, the increase in financing European defense technology. And beginners in the industries take advantage.

Such a company can be a UK-based starting vertical aerospace, which develops mainly EVTOL (electric vertical flight and landing) planes for Air Taxi operations. Starting American Airlines, Japan Airlines, GOL and Bristow have more than 1,500 order orders for VX4 EvTol.

Now it speaks more open about vertical defense and logistics capabilities. On Monday, the vertical first public step was taken by announcing a plan to develop the VX4 hybrid-electric version.

“We knew that this plane could defend its character because of his character,” he said. Evtol has a 10-fold increase.

VTols are for a good defense plane because they have noise and heat signatures. It can also be placed in an autonomy or remote, a vertical day was said to be in a day. Partnership with Vertical Honeywell develop Autonomous planes for the US Army, create flight control and aircraft management systems for vehicles.

The vertical hybrid-electrical strategy is not unique to start. In December 2024, a California-based archer made an announcement of aviation A new unit dedicated to defense Along with the plans to work with a weapon manufacturer Anuril to build a hybrid-electric aircraft for critical military missions. News, another $ 430 million worth of capital from existing investors.

Simpson insists that vertically did not go out with the news of this vertical hybrid vehicle – the beginning has worked on hidden planes within 18 months – of course, a good time.

As the block prioritizing the house grown solutions, the last few years have passed the view of European defense technology. Last year $ 1 billion in VC For the first time since 2018, it was invested in an increase in an increase. 1 billion euro NATO Innovation Fund and Estonian smartcap € 100 million protection fund. Lithuania is preparing to make 5% of total GDP in defense costs, including beginners Sovereign VC Coinvest Capital.

In this background, vertically finds itself without European opponents in the Event industry. At the end of 2024, Germany Volocopter for bankruptcyand Lilium stopped operations. Vertical says this is unparalleled to meet the growing needs of Europe. Now it can be a major player aimed at increasing defense budgets and sovereign industrial capabilities with upcoming hybrid-electrical capabilities.

To catch this moment properly, you need to grow more capital, vertically. Initially in 2021 and subsequent pipes, mainly in 2021 and the beginning of the subsequent pipes so far increased so far. Recently, in January, vertically increased the vertically second directly to the public.

This places vertically well from the bottom of good rivals vertically

“We spent $ 100 million a year,” said Simpson. “Our opponents spend up to $ 400 to $ 500 million. We have developed $ 100 million, this hybrid. We are incredibly efficient and focused.”

Archer Operating costs in 2024 The top 500 million dollars went to solve some Rebate with Boeing and Wisk Aero. Businesslike Last year’s operating costs reached about $ 600 million.

He said that both the bout and business, and soon investing in production to produce their faces on a scale. Simpson, vertically, said he was not working vertically before completing the certificate he expected in 2028.

“You can set up a lot of money to get the load of the robots,” Simpson said. “It’s not something you want to treat. These are high, highly complex. What you have to do is, and then you have built them. Then you make and automate them.”

VTUT, first certified advance prototype, VX4 EvTol, built next year, planned to build another handful.

“Hybrid energy train will be integrated into our VX4 version, which includes our next generation VX4 version, said,” Simpson “Satural’s first quarter said on Tuesday.

Vertical flight tests are only a pilot, partly to the strict nature of the UK’s flight rules. Joby and Beta have already seen piloted flights, but no archer is still there – it does not always plan to do it.

As for clients for the vertical military victims, the company has not yet created any guarantees.

“We held very deep, meaningful discussions with government agencies and customers,” Simpson said. “But we are the only European player in the space. That’s why it really gives us a unique position.”