Vertical Aerospace Completes Final VX4 Prototype, Targets Hybrid Expansion in 2026

Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) has officially announced the completion of its third and final full-scale VX4 prototype, a critical milestone intended to accelerate the company’s path toward Certification. According to a statement released on December 22, 2025, the new aircraft is scheduled to begin piloted flight testing in January 2026 following a brief commissioning phase.

The addition of this aircraft effectively doubles the Bristol-based manufacturer’s flight test capacity. By operating two identical full-scale prototypes simultaneously, Vertical Aerospace aims to increase the frequency of data gathering required for regulatory approval. This development comes shortly after the company unveiled “Valo,” its rebranded commercial production aircraft, and signaled a strategic expansion into hybrid-electric propulsion for defense and logistics markets.

Accelerating the Path to Certification

The newly completed aircraft is a VX4 model, identical to the second prototype that has been undergoing rigorous testing in the UK. In November 2025, the existing prototype received its Permit to Fly and has since completed 10 piloted flights, successfully expanding the aircraft’s flight envelope. The primary role of this final prototype is to serve as a workhorse for validating aerodynamics, flight control software, and battery technologies.

According to the company’s announcement, the immediate schedule for the new unit involves post-production systems checks followed by a maiden piloted flight in January. Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, emphasized the importance of this addition to their fleet:

“As we look ahead to 2026, the addition of our final prototype marks an important step in closing out our prototype flight test programme and maintaining momentum towards commercialization. Our test pilots are eager to get this aircraft into the air.”

Strategic Pivot: Hybrid Propulsion and the “Valo” Tour

While the immediate focus remains on electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) certification, Vertical Aerospace is simultaneously broadening its technological scope. The company revealed that later in 2026, this final prototype will be retrofitted with a hybrid-electric propulsion system. This modification is designed to test long-range capabilities, with a target range of up to 1,000 miles, significantly higher than the ~100-mile range of the all-electric configuration.

This hybrid strategy targets the defense, logistics, and emergency medical services (EMS) sectors, where range and payload often outweigh the requirement for zero-emission short hops. The company projects a payload capacity of approximately 1,100 kg for this variant.

Distinguishing Prototype from Product

Vertical Aerospace has clarified the distinction between the testing hardware and the final commercial product. The aircraft currently flying, and the unit just completed, are VX4 prototypes. These utilize the original fuselage design and distributed battery packs to validate core systems.

In contrast, the commercial model, branded as Valo, features a redesigned fuselage, a V-tail with a tail wheel, and an under-floor liquid-cooled battery system. While the flying prototypes remain in the UK for technical validation, Vertical Aerospace plans to launch a US tour in January 2026, starting in New York City. This tour is expected to feature a full-scale static model of Valo to demonstrate the passenger experience to investors and partners.

Financial Outlook and Timeline

The expansion of the flight test program occurs against a backdrop of careful capital management. As of November 2025, Vertical Aerospace reported a cash position of approximately £89 million ($117 million). The company has stated this funding provides a runway through mid-2026, with a controlled net operating cash outflow guidance of $110–125 million for the 2025 fiscal year.

Key milestones for the upcoming year include:

• January 2026: Piloted flight testing of the final prototype and the start of the Valo US Tour.
• Mid-to-Late 2026: Retrofitting the final prototype for hybrid-electric trials.
• Throughout 2026: Public flight demonstrations, potentially at major international Air-Shows.
• 2028: Targeted Type Certification for Valo with the UK Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) and EASA.

AirPro News Analysis

The completion of a third prototype is a standard but vital step in aerospace certification; redundancy allows for parallel testing streams, one aircraft can focus on performance handling while the other tests system reliability or failure modes. However, the most significant revelation in this update is the concrete timeline for the hybrid-electric retrofit.

By targeting a 1,000-mile range with a hybrid variant, Vertical Aerospace is effectively hedging its bets. The pure-electric urban air mobility market is crowded and infrastructure-dependent. A hybrid variant opens immediate doors to military and cargo contracts that are less sensitive to noise and battery density constraints. With a cash runway extending only to mid-2026, demonstrating a viable hybrid technology later that year could be a decisive factor in securing the next tranche of necessary funding.

Sources

• Vertical Aerospace Press Release (Dec 22, 2025)
• Vertical Aerospace Official Website

This article is based on an official press release and strategy report from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

U.S. Transportation Secretary Duffy Unveils National Strategy for Advanced Air Mobility

On December 17, 2025, marking the 122nd anniversary of the Wright Brothers’ first flight, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy officially launched the National Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) Strategy. This comprehensive roadmap is designed to guide the integration of “flying cars” (eVTOLs), drones, and automated aviation technologies into the national airspace system.

According to the Department of Transportation (DOT), the strategy outlines 40 specific recommendations aimed at securing American leadership in the next generation of aviation. The initiative is heavily framed around the administration’s “America First” agenda, prioritizing domestic manufacturing, supply chain independence, and national security to ensure the United States maintains dominance in the sector against global competitors.

The announcement follows the requirements set forth by the Advanced Air Mobility Coordination and Leadership Act of 2022 and builds upon the Executive Order “Unleashing American Drone Dominance” signed in June 2025.

“Since the Wright brothers first took flight in 1903, America has been at the forefront of aviation innovation. Today, we have a bold strategy to unlock the future of our skies and unleash this next chapter of aviation safely and efficiently. Advanced air mobility vehicles will benefit the American people, transforming how the flying public travels, how first responders jump into action, and how businesses deliver goods.”

, Sean P. Duffy, U.S. Secretary of Transportation

The “LIFT” Action Plan and Operational Timeline

The DOT’s strategy is structured around a four-phase execution plan dubbed “LIFT,” designed to move the industry from experimental research to widespread commercial adoption. The phases are defined as:

• Leverage existing programs to support innovation and commence initial operations.
• Initiate engagement with partners, research and development, and smart planning.
• Forge new policy and regulatory models responsive to public needs.
• Transform the aviation ecosystem for long-term integration.

Key Milestones

The strategy sets a clear timeline for the rollout of AAM technologies, providing the regulatory certainty long requested by industry stakeholders:

• 2027: Initial commercial demonstrations and limited operations utilizing existing infrastructure, such as current airports and heliports.
• 2030: Expansion of operations into broader rural and urban environments.
• 2035: Introduction of autonomous (pilotless) operations in specific, controlled environments.

Six Pillars of the AAM Ecosystem

The report identifies six core pillars essential for a functional and safe AAM ecosystem. These pillars address the technical, physical, and social infrastructure required to support high-density, low-altitude flight operations.

1. Airspace Modernization

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) is tasked with modernizing Air Traffic Control (ATC) to manage the influx of new aircraft. The strategy proposes researching “cooperative operating practices,” where third-party service providers assist in managing airspace under FAA oversight, allowing for scalable operations without overwhelming current controllers.

2. Infrastructure Development

While early adoption will rely on existing airports and heliports, the strategy calls for the development of standards for new “vertiports” and electric charging networks. This includes retrofitting existing facilities to support electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.

3. Security and Resilience

With increased digitization comes increased risk. The strategy emphasizes ensuring that new digital and physical systems are resilient against cyber threats and physical attacks, treating AAM infrastructure as critical national security assets.

4. Community Planning

Recognizing potential public resistance, the DOT plans to work closely with local governments to address noise concerns, privacy issues, and equitable access. Secretary Duffy, drawing on his background representing a rural district, has emphasized that AAM must connect underserved and rural communities, not just wealthy urban centers.

5. Workforce Development

The plan outlines the need to train a new generation of aviation professionals, including pilots, remote operators, and maintenance technicians specialized in electric propulsion and autonomous systems.

6. Automation and Certification

A critical long-term goal is establishing certification pathways for increasingly autonomous aircraft. The strategy envisions a shift from piloted aircraft to remotely piloted and eventually fully autonomous systems by 2035.

Geopolitical Context: An “America First” Approach

A distinct feature of this strategy is its focus on economic and national security. Secretary Duffy has positioned AAM as a “race” for autonomy, comparable to the space race. The administration’s policy explicitly discourages reliance on foreign adversaries for critical components such as batteries, avionics, and advanced materials.

The goal is to anchor production within the U.S., creating high-skilled manufacturing jobs and ensuring that American standards become the global norm for advanced aviation. This aligns with the broader administration focus on supply chain independence.

AirPro News Analysis

The release of the National AAM Strategy marks a significant pivot from viewing air taxis as a novelty to treating them as a strategic national asset. By explicitly linking AAM to “America First” manufacturing and national security, the DOT is likely signaling that federal funding and support will be tied to strict domestic sourcing requirements.

For investors and industry players, the 2027 timeline for commercial demonstrations is aggressive but provides a concrete target. However, the reliance on “cooperative operating practices” for airspace management suggests that the FAA is looking to delegate some traffic management responsibilities to the private sector, a move that could accelerate implementation but may raise questions regarding oversight and liability.

Industry Reaction

The aviation sector has largely embraced the announcement. Leading U.S. eVTOL manufacturers, including Archer Aviation and BETA Technologies, praised the strategy for providing the regulatory clarity needed to transition from testing to commercial service. The National Business Aviation Association (NBAA) welcomed the plan’s potential to improve general aviation connectivity, while Airports Council International-North America expressed support but noted the necessity of federal funding to upgrade infrastructure.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Advanced Air Mobility (AAM)?
AAM refers to an air transportation system that moves people and cargo between places using new aircraft designs, such as electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicles and drones, often in local, regional, or urban environments.

When will “flying cars” be available to the public?
According to the national strategy, limited commercial demonstrations are expected to begin by 2027, with broader availability in 2030.

Will these aircraft have pilots?
Initially, yes. The strategy outlines a transition period where aircraft will be piloted, moving toward autonomous (pilotless) operations by approximately 2035.

Sources

• U.S. Department of Transportation

Reviving the Electric Taxi: Green Taxi Aerospace Targets 2027 Certification

The aviation industry’s pursuit of emissions-free ground operations has received a renewed push. According to reporting by Leeham News, U.S.-based startup Green Taxi Aerospace (also known as Green Taxi Solutions) is advancing its “Zero Engine Taxi” system, with a firm target to achieve FAA certification by 2027. The company is initially focusing its retrofit solution on the Embraer E175 regional jet, a strategic move designed to capitalize on the high-frequency nature of regional aviation.

While the concept of electric taxiing, moving aircraft on the ground without using main engines, has existed for over a decade, previous attempts have struggled with weight penalties and commercial viability. Green Taxi Aerospace claims to have solved these engineering hurdles, backed by significant partnerships with Delta Air Lines, Embraer, and StandardAero.

Technical Breakthroughs and Weight Reduction

The core of the Green Taxi system involves installing electric motors inside the aircraft’s main landing gear wheels. These motors are powered by the aircraft’s existing Auxiliary Power Unit (APU), allowing the pilot to control speed and direction from the cockpit without engaging the main jet engines.

According to the Leeham News report, a critical differentiator for Green Taxi is the dramatic reduction in system weight compared to legacy attempts. Early iterations of electric taxi systems, such as the now-cancelled Safran/Honeywell EGTS project from 2013, added approximately 1,000 pounds to the airframe. This weight penalty often negated fuel savings during flight.

In contrast, Green Taxi CEO David Valaer, a former F-16 pilot, emphasized the advancements in modern power electronics.

“Ten years ago, the system weight was significantly heavier… ours weighs 20 pounds [referring to electronics].”

— David Valaer, via Leeham News

By driving the main landing gear rather than the nose wheel, the system also aims to provide superior traction, particularly in adverse weather conditions like snow or ice.

Strategic Partnerships and Funding

Green Taxi Aerospace has secured high-profile industry support to validate its technology. Leeham News notes that Delta Air Lines is providing operational data and testing support through its “Sustainable Skies Lab.” Additionally, the company has partnered with Embraer for technical validation on the E175 airframe and StandardAero to lead the certification process.

Financial backing for the development includes a $5.6 million grant from the FAA’s Continuous Lower Energy, Emissions, and Noise (CLEEN) program, highlighting federal interest in technologies that reduce airport noise and carbon footprints.

The Business Case for Regional Jets

The company argues that regional jets represent the ideal launch market. Because aircraft like the E175 perform frequent short-haul flights, they spend a higher percentage of their operating time taxiing compared to long-haul widebody aircraft. Green Taxi projects the following operational benefits:

• Fuel Savings: A 5–20% reduction in fuel burn for short-haul flights.
• Cost Efficiency: Estimated savings of $250,000 to $350,000 per aircraft annually.
• Maintenance: Reduced wear on carbon brakes and lower risk of foreign object damage (FOD) to engines.

AirPro News Analysis

Why the “Main Gear” Approach Matters

We observe that Green Taxi’s decision to power the main landing gear, rather than the nose wheel, addresses a specific physics challenge that plagued competitors like WheelTug. The main gear carries approximately 90% of an aircraft’s weight. By applying torque there, the aircraft maintains better traction on wet or icy ramps, a critical requirement for airlines operating in winter climates. Furthermore, by targeting the retrofit market rather than waiting for new aircraft designs, Green Taxi opens an immediate addressable market of thousands of existing regional jets.

Timeline and Competitive Landscape

According to the timeline outlined in the report, Green Taxi plans to submit its certification plan to the FAA in late 2025, with a conforming prototype scheduled for assembly by mid-2026. If successful, the 2027 certification would place them ahead of other stalled initiatives.

The sector has seen high-profile failures, notably the Safran/Honeywell joint venture which ended in 2016 due to the aforementioned weight issues. Another competitor, WheelTug, utilizes a nose-wheel drive system but has faced repeated certification delays. Green Taxi aims to succeed by leveraging lighter modern electronics and a focus on regional aviation economics.

Sources

• Leeham News