This article is based on an official press release from Skyryse.

Skyryse Secures Over $300 Million in Series C Funding, Achieving $1.15 Billion Valuation

Skyryse, a developer of universal flight automation systems, has announced the completion of a Series C funding round raising more than $300 million. According to the company, this latest capital injection pushes its post-money valuation to $1.15 billion, officially granting the Los Angeles-based aviation tech firm “unicorn” status.

The round was led by Autopilot Ventures and returning investor Fidelity Management & Research Company. Other participants included the Qatar Investment Authority (QIA), ArrowMark Partners, Atreides Management LP, BAM Elevate, Baron Capital Group, Durable Capital Partners, and Positive Sum. To date, Skyryse states it has raised over $605 million to support its mission of simplifying flight control.

The primary objective of this funding is to accelerate the certification and commercialization of SkyOS, the company’s proprietary hardware and software stack designed to replace complex mechanical flight controls with a unified, automated interface.

Accelerating Certification for SkyOS

Skyryse reports that the new capital will specifically fund the final phase of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) certification, known as “for-credit” flight testing. This phase represents the final validation step where flight data counts directly toward commercial approval.

According to the company, SkyOS is a universal operating system that can be retrofitted onto existing aircraft. The system replaces traditional “stick and rudder” controls, such as the cyclic, collective, pedals, and throttle found in helicopters, with a simplified four-axis control stick and two touchscreens. The technology aims to democratize aviation by reducing the pilot workload and training requirements through Simplified Vehicle Operations (SVO).

Key Technical Milestones

In its announcement, Skyryse highlighted several regulatory achievements that pave the way for this final testing phase:

• Design Approval: The FAA has granted design approval for the SkyOS flight control computers, freezing the hardware architecture.
• Means of Compliance: The regulator has accepted Skyryse’s “100% Means of Compliance” plan, which outlines exactly how the system will demonstrate safety standards.

“The funding marks a major milestone in Skyryse’s journey… Surpassing $1B in valuation is a historic moment for the founder-led, privately-held company.”

, Mark Groden, PhD, Founder & CEO of Skyryse

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Strategic Focus: Retrofit Over New Build

Unlike many emerging aviation companies focused on building entirely new electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Skyryse’s business model centers on retrofitting the existing global fleet. The company claims its technology is applicable to any aircraft, from light helicopters to fixed-wing planes.

Skyryse has already secured partnerships to integrate SkyOS into diverse operational fleets. These include Air Methods, the largest air medical transport provider in the United States, and Robinson Helicopter, a leading manufacturer of civil helicopters. The company has also engaged in contracts with the U.S. military to demonstrate automated capabilities on utility aircraft such as the Sikorsky Black Hawk.

AirPro News Analysis: The Retrofit Advantage

While the aviation industry has seen significant investment in eVTOL startups like Joby and Archer, Skyryse’s approach offers a distinct path to market that bypasses the manufacturing hurdles of building new airframes. By focusing on a “retrofit” strategy, Skyryse targets an immediate addressable market of approximately 20,000 civil turbine helicopters and over 300,000 general aviation aircraft worldwide.

This strategy mitigates the risks associated with battery density limitations and infrastructure development that currently constrain the eVTOL sector. Furthermore, the FAA’s upcoming MOSAIC rule is expected to formalize regulations for Simplified Vehicle Operations (SVO). If SkyOS achieves certification, it could position Skyryse as a primary beneficiary of these regulatory changes, allowing operators to upgrade legacy fleets with modern safety features, such as envelope protection and auto-emergency landing, without purchasing entirely new aircraft.

Safety and Automation Features

Skyryse emphasizes that its system is designed to keep the pilot in the loop while automating dangerous or complex tasks. Key safety features of SkyOS include:

• Envelope Protection: Automatically prevents the aircraft from entering unsafe flight states, such as stalls or spins.
• Auto-Emergency Landing: Capable of landing the aircraft automatically in the event of engine failure (including autorotation for helicopters) or pilot incapacitation.
• IFR Capability: Designed to allow safe operation in zero-visibility conditions.

With the “for-credit” testing phase now funded, Skyryse aims to finalize the transition from a developmental technology to a certified commercial product, potentially reshaping how general aviation aircraft are flown.

Sources

• Skyryse Official Announcement

This article is based on an official press release from Nidec Aerospace.

Nidec Aerospace Opens Atlanta Hub to Accelerate Electric Propulsion for Advanced Air Mobility

Nidec Aerospace, the joint venture between Japan’s Nidec Corporation and Brazil’s Embraer, has officially announced the establishment of a new strategic hub in Atlanta, Georgia. According to a company press release issued on February 2, 2026, the new facility is designed to accelerate the development, integration, and certification of Electric Propulsion Units (EPUs) for the rapidly maturing Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) sector.

The expansion places Nidec’s engineering and program leadership teams in the heart of a major aerospace ecosystem. The company states that the Atlanta hub will support projects ranging from initial concept phases through to final certification and service, aiming to shorten development cycles for electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) and electric short take-off and landing (eSTOL) aircraft.

Strategic Location and Academic Synergies

The decision to locate in Atlanta leverages the region’s robust aerospace infrastructure and talent pipeline. In its announcement, Nidec Aerospace highlighted the importance of proximity to key partners and innovation centers. A significant factor in this move is the hub’s closeness to the Georgia Institute of Technology (Georgia Tech), a leading producer of aerospace engineering talent in the United States.

According to background data regarding the expansion, the move facilitates direct collaboration with specialized research facilities. Georgia Tech hosts the Center for Urban and Regional Air Mobility (CURAM) and the Aircraft Prototyping Laboratory, which opened in September 2025. These facilities are currently engaged in NASA-partnered projects focused on electric propulsion reliability and noise reduction, critical metrics for Nidec’s product line.

Vincent Braley, CEO of Nidec Aerospace and a Georgia Tech alumnus, emphasized the operational benefits of the new location in a statement included in the press release:

Establishing a presence in Atlanta is about building momentum for our customers and the industry. As electric propulsion programs advance toward real-world deployment, proximity matters. This move allows us to work faster, integrate earlier, and deliver dependable, certifiable propulsion solutions.

Focus on Certification and Production

Nidec Aerospace was established in October 2023 to combine Nidec’s expertise in electric motors with Embraer’s aerospace heritage. The joint venture is currently focused on delivering agnostic propulsion systems, integrated units combining motors and inverters, that can serve various airframe manufacturers beyond Embraer.

The company’s immediate priority is supporting its launch customer, Eve Air Mobility. According to previous company filings, Nidec invested $20 million in Eve in July 2024 to solidify this partnership. The Atlanta hub is expected to play a crucial role in finalizing the hardware required for Eve’s certification efforts.

Industry Context

The opening of the Atlanta office comes at a critical inflection point for the electric aviation industry. Market research data for 2026 indicates that the electric aircraft propulsion sector is projected to grow to over $7 billion this year. This growth is driven largely by major eVTOL manufacturers, such as Joby Aviation and Archer Aviation, entering the final stages of FAA certification.

As the industry shifts from prototyping to mass production, suppliers are under increasing pressure to deliver high-voltage systems (800V+) that meet stringent safety standards. Nidec’s expansion into Atlanta is a direct response to this demand, positioning the company to provide real-time engineering support during these complex certification campaigns.

AirPro News Analysis

From Engineering to Ecosystem Integration

The establishment of the Atlanta hub signals that Nidec Aerospace is moving beyond the initial design phase and entrenching itself in the broader US aerospace supply chain. By physically locating near Georgia Tech and the wider Atlanta aerospace cluster, which contributes over $57 billion annually to the state economy, Nidec is mitigating one of the biggest risks in the AAM sector: the talent gap.

Furthermore, this move underscores the “agnostic” nature of Nidec’s strategy. While their relationship with Embraer and Eve Air Mobility is foundational, a standalone hub in a neutral, high-traffic aerospace city like Atlanta suggests an ambition to supply the wider market. As competitors like Honeywell and Safran advance their own systems, Nidec’s ability to offer rapid, on-site integration support could become a decisive competitive advantage.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Nidec Aerospace?
Nidec Aerospace is a joint venture between Nidec Corporation and Embraer, created to develop electric propulsion systems for the aerospace industry.

What will the Atlanta hub do?
The hub will focus on engineering, program leadership, and customer collaboration to accelerate the development and certification of electric propulsion units.

Who is Nidec’s launch customer?
Eve Air Mobility, an independent company spun off from Embraer, is the launch customer for Nidec’s electric propulsion systems.

Why was Atlanta chosen?
Atlanta was selected for its proximity to Georgia Tech’s engineering talent, research facilities like the Aircraft Prototyping Laboratory, and a strong existing aerospace industrial base.

Sources

• Nidec Aerospace Press Release

This article is based on an official press release from GE Aerospace.

Singapore and GE Aerospace Launch SPAARC to Accelerate Aviation R&D

On February 2, 2026, key aviation stakeholders in Singapore signed a landmark Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with GE Aerospace, officially establishing the Singapore Partnership for Aviation & Aerospace Research and Capability (SPAARC). Announced at the 3rd Changi Aviation Summit, this collaboration signals a major strategic shift for GE Aerospace in the region, expanding its focus from traditional Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul (MRO) operations to upstream research and development.

According to the official press release, the partnership aims to accelerate the adoption of next-generation technologies essential for a sustainable global aviation hub. The agreement brings together GE Aerospace, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS), the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), and the International Centre for Aviation Innovation (ICAI). Together, these entities plan to co-develop and test solutions in a real-world environment, specifically targeting safety, efficiency, and sustainability.

This initiative aligns with GE Aerospace’s broader strategy to deepen its footprint in the Asia-Pacific region. Late last year, the company announced a US$75 million investment to upgrade capabilities across the region, with a significant portion dedicated to enhancing Singapore’s status as a “living lab” for aviation technology.

The Three Pillars of SPAARC

The SPAARC initiative will concentrate its research and development efforts on three primary domains, designed to address the most pressing challenges in modern aviation.

1. AI and Digital Safety

As automation becomes increasingly critical to flight operations, the partnership will focus on developing robust governance frameworks for Artificial Intelligence. The goal is to ensure that safety-critical systems meet rigorous aviation standards. Additionally, the partners intend to utilize AI to enhance maintenance procedures, flight operations, and broader airspace management.

2. Airspace Modernization

To optimize flow and capacity at major hubs like Changi Airport, SPAARC will work on creating advanced analytical systems for flight route planning. These digital platforms aim to improve coordination between airports, airlines, and flight crews, reducing delays and fuel consumption.

3. Advanced Aerodynamics

The third pillar involves upstream research to support next-generation propulsion systems, such as Open Fan engines. Researchers will study how these novel engine designs integrate with current aircraft and airport infrastructure, preparing the ground for future fleet upgrades.

“Together, through the new Singapore Partnership for Aviation & Aerospace Research and Capability (SPAARC), we’ll shape what’s possible for the future of flight.”

, Rahul Ghai, CFO, GE Aerospace

Strategic Roles and Implementation

Each partner plays a distinct role in the ecosystem. CAAS acts as the regulator, providing a “regulatory sandbox” and the operational environment of Changi Airport to safely test new technologies. The EDB facilitates investment to ensure the partnership generates high-value technical jobs for Singapore’s workforce.

The International Centre for Aviation Innovation (ICAI), established in 2023, serves as the bridge between policy, private sector technology, and academic research. Its mandate is to translate research into operational reality, ensuring that innovations move effectively from the lab to the tarmac.

“Our work with GE Aerospace and key industry stakeholders translates research into real-world capabilities, helping to de-risk innovation and make transformative aviation projects achievable.”

, Patrick Ky, CEO, ICAI

AirPro News Analysis: Distinguishing SPAARC from Open Fan Testing

While SPAARC is a broad R&D framework, it is important to distinguish it from a separate agreement signed on the same day involving CAAS, Airbus, and CFM International (a GE/Safran joint venture). That separate deal establishes Singapore as the world’s first airport testbed specifically for the “RISE” Open Fan engine architecture.

We view SPAARC as the foundational research layer, providing the necessary data on aerodynamics and safety frameworks, that will support the operational testing conducted under the specific Open Fan agreement. By decoupling the broad research (SPAARC) from the specific hardware testing (Open Fan), Singapore is effectively de-risking the development of these technologies before a global rollout.

Significance for Global Aviation

For Singapore, this partnership cements its status as more than just a transit hub; it positions the nation as a global leader in aviation innovation. The initiative directly supports the Singapore Sustainable Air Hub Blueprint, which targets net-zero domestic emissions by 2050.

Han Kok Juan, Director-General of CAAS, emphasized the efficiency gains expected from this public-private model:

“Through public-private research partnerships such as this, we hope to establish and offer new innovation pathways that are more efficient and effective than what are available currently.”

, Han Kok Juan, Director-General, CAAS

Globally, the AI governance frameworks developed under SPAARC could set a precedent for how regulators worldwide approve AI tools for safety-critical flight operations, potentially standardizing the integration of artificial intelligence in aerospace.

Sources

• GE Aerospace Press Release