This article is based on an official press release from Horizon Aircraft.

Horizon Aircraft Unveils Technical Refinements for Cavorite X7 eVTOL

On January 21, 2026, New Horizon Aircraft Ltd. (NASDAQ: HOVR) announced a series of significant technical updates to the design of its flagship hybrid-electric eVTOL, the Cavorite X7. Following the successful transition flight of a large-scale prototype in May 2025, the company has moved to standardize the aircraft’s vertical lift system and refine its aerodynamic profile. These changes are aimed at enhancing safety, simplifying manufacturing, and improving passenger comfort as the company progresses toward full-scale production.

The Cavorite X7 is designed as a long-range regional air mobility platform. Unlike many pure electric competitors focused on short urban hops, Horizon Aircraft utilizes a hybrid-electric power system intended for medical evacuation, disaster relief, and regional commercial transport. The latest engineering updates reflect data gathered during recent flight testing and detailed aerodynamic analysis.

Standardization of the Vertical Lift System

The most substantial engineering change detailed in the company’s announcement is the standardization of the aircraft’s vertical lift fans. The Cavorite X7 utilizes a patented “fan-in-wing” system, where lift fans are embedded within the wings and covered by retractable panels during forward flight to reduce drag.

Moving to a 12-Fan Configuration

Previously, the aircraft’s design employed different fan sizes for the main wings and the forward canards. According to the press release, the updated design now features a total of 12 identical lift fans. The configuration places five fans in each main wing and one in each canard. By replacing the smaller canard fans with wing-sized units, Horizon Aircraft has achieved complete commonality across the lift system.

This shift to a single fan unit offers several industrial advantages. It simplifies the supply chain, streamlines the manufacturing process, and reduces the complexity of maintenance for future operators. Furthermore, the company states that each of these 12 fans is powered by a dual-motor redundant architecture, ensuring that the aircraft can maintain safe operation even in the event of a motor failure.

Aerodynamic and Cabin Enhancements

Beyond the propulsion system, Horizon Aircraft has introduced changes to the airframe and interior to optimize performance and user experience.

Drag Reduction and Efficiency

The engineering team has reprofiled the surfaces of the canards and the tail. These aerodynamic modifications are designed to reduce drag in cruise flight, thereby improving fuel efficiency and overall range. The changes also aim to enhance flight stability, a critical factor for an aircraft designed to operate in diverse weather conditions.

Interior Redesign

Collaborating with mobility designer Andrea Mocellin, the company has also updated the cabin layout. The fuselage has been slightly extended to increase legroom, and the window structures have been redesigned to provide better visibility for passengers. These updates suggest a focus on the commercial viability of the aircraft, ensuring it meets the comfort standards expected in the regional air mobility market.

“The design changes effectively enhance performance while maintaining the company’s ‘mission-first’ approach to safety and utility.”

, Brandon Robinson, CEO of Horizon Aircraft

Context and Financial Background

These technical announcements come shortly after Horizon Aircraft released its fiscal 2026 second-quarter results on January 14, 2026. The company, which trades on the NASDAQ under the ticker HOVR, reported an EPS loss of ($0.15) for the quarter. Despite the financial headwinds common in the capital-intensive eVTOL sector, the company has continued to secure funding, including a $2 million grant awarded in October 2025 to advance all-weather flight capabilities.

The successful transition flight of the large-scale prototype in May 2025 remains a pivotal Test-Flights for the program. Transitioning from vertical hover to wing-borne forward flight is widely considered one of the most difficult engineering challenges for VTOL aircraft. The data from that testing phase directly informed the standardization and aerodynamic refinements announced this week.

AirPro News Analysis

The decision to standardize the lift fans on the Cavorite X7 is a mature engineering move that signals a shift from pure prototyping to “design for manufacture.” In the aerospace industry, part commonality is a key driver in reducing unit costs and increasing reliability. By eliminating unique part numbers for the canard fans, Horizon Aircraft reduces the inventory burden for operators and simplifies the certification process, as fewer unique components need to be validated.

Furthermore, while many eVTOL developers are locked in a race for urban air taxi dominance, Horizon’s hybrid approach targets a different niche, regional utility and logistics. The ability to refuel rather than wait for recharging infrastructure gives the Cavorite X7 a potential operational advantage in rural or austere environments, such as medevac or search and rescue missions, where electric charging grids may be unreliable or nonexistent.

Sources

• Horizon Aircraft Unveils Key Advances for Full-Scale Cavorite X7