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 from Boom Supersonic.

Boom Supersonic Expands into Energy Sector with “Superpower” Turbines for AI Data Centers

In a significant strategic expansion announced on December 9, 2025, Boom Supersonic has unveiled “Superpower,” a new business division dedicated to manufacturing natural gas turbines for artificial intelligence data centers. While the company remains focused on its goal of commercial supersonic flight, this move leverages its proprietary engine technology to address the growing global energy deficit caused by the rapid expansion of AI infrastructure.

According to the company’s official announcement, the initiative is supported by a newly closed $300 million Series B funding round and a massive launch order from AI infrastructure firm Crusoe. The company reports that the backlog for the new turbine product already exceeds $1.25 billion.

Leveraging Aviation Tech for Ground Power

The core of the Superpower product line is a 42-megawatt (MW) natural gas turbine derived directly from the “Symphony” engine core, the same propulsion system Boom is developing for its Overture supersonic airliner. By adapting this aviation-grade technology for stationary power generation, Boom aims to solve specific inefficiencies plaguing current energy grids.

The press release highlights several technical specifications designed to meet the needs of modern data centers, particularly those in challenging climates:

• High-Heat Performance: The turbine is rated to maintain full power output in ambient temperatures exceeding 110°F (43°C), addressing the “heat derating” issues common in legacy turbines.
• Waterless Operation: The system requires zero water for cooling, a critical feature for facilities in arid regions.
• Rapid Deployment: The modular design fits within a standard shipping container footprint.

Boom Supersonic Founder and CEO Blake Scholl emphasized the dual utility of their technology in a statement regarding the launch:

“Supersonic technology is an accelerant, of course for faster flight, but now for artificial intelligence as well. With this financing and our first order for Superpower, Boom is funded to deliver both our engine and our airliner.”

Strategic “Resequencing” and Financials

Boom describes this expansion as a strategic “resequencing” of its business model. The revenue generated from the Superpower division is intended to fund the capital-intensive certification and production processes required for the Overture aircraft. Additionally, operating the Symphony engine core in ground-based scenarios will allow the company to accumulate millions of operating hours and reliability data, which is expected to accelerate the certification of the flight-ready engines.

Funding and Investors

To support this new direction, Boom closed a $300 million funding round led by Darsana Capital Partners. Other participants include Altimeter Capital, ARK Invest, Bessemer Venture Partners, Robinhood Ventures, and Y Combinator. While Boom has raised capital previously, the company designated this specific raise as a “Series B” round, signaling a distinct capitalization structure for this phase of growth.

Steve Friedman, a partner at Darsana Capital, commented on the efficiency of this strategy:

“[This is a] smart, capital-efficient path to building the next great American industrial company.”

Launch Customer: Crusoe

The viability of the Superpower division is underscored by a significant commitment from its launch customer, Crusoe. The vertically integrated AI infrastructure company has placed an order for 29 units, representing 1.21 gigawatts (GW) of power capacity. Deliveries are scheduled to begin in 2027.

Chase Lochmiller, CEO of Crusoe, noted that the partnership aligns with their need for rapid power deployment to support AI computing demands. The deal accounts for the majority of Boom’s reported $1.25 billion backlog for the new division.

AirPro News Analysis

The pivot by Boom Supersonic highlights a critical bottleneck in the technology sector: the “Time-to-Power” crisis. As AI models grow in complexity, data centers require gigawatts of additional power that aging municipal grids often cannot supply on short notice. By offering a “behind-the-meter” solution, where companies generate their own power on-site, Boom is positioning itself to capture revenue from the tech sector’s most urgent pain point. This strategy effectively allows the booming AI market to subsidize the development of supersonic travel, turning a high-risk aviation R&D project into a diversified industrial operation.

Boom plans to ramp up production of these turbines to over 4 GW annually by 2030 at a facility in the United States.

Sources

• Boom Supersonic Press Release

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