Mako Aerospace, a Scottish aerospace startups developing all-electric jet engine technology, has indicated the closure of a $28 million Series A funding round to advance its propulsion systems.

A URL published on the company’s domain outlines the capital injection for the Dunfermline-based manufacturers. Mako Aerospace is currently developing “The Forerunner,” an all-electric jet engine prototype utilizing superconductor technology designed to extend the range of electric aircraft.

Advancing all-electric propulsion

Led by Chief Executive Officer Kieran Duncan and Chief Operations Officer Pia Saelen, Mako Aerospace is focused on reducing operating expenses for aircraft operators. The company targets a 70% reduction in fuel costs compared to traditional turboprop engines using its proprietary technology.

In September 2022, Mako Aerospace announced a partnerships with the National Manufacturing Institute Scotland (NMIS) to manufacture the prototype of its electric jet engine. The reported $28 million Series A would provide the capital required to scale this development and pursue experimental certification for the propulsion system.

Funding verification and industry context

The $28 million funding figure originates from a dedicated URL on the Mako Aerospace website. The primary press release is not currently accessible through public web searches, and the funding round has not yet been confirmed by regulatory filings or secondary financial press.

If completed, a $28 million Series A represents a substantial investments in the electric aviation sector. Startups developing novel propulsion systems require significant early-stage capital to transition from conceptual design to physical prototyping and testing.

AirPro News analysis

We note that while the $28 million figure is substantial for a regional aerospace startup at this stage, the lack of accessible public filings or widespread syndication of the press release warrants caution. Developing an all-electric jet engine using superconductors is a highly capital-intensive process. If the funding is fully realized, it will likely bridge the gap between the NMIS-supported prototype phase and initial ground testing. Certification by aviation authorities remains a distant and expensive hurdle for any novel propulsion technology.

Sources: Mako Aerospace

Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) has selected Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRO) to supply the low-voltage power distribution system for its Valo electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, securing a critical component as the manufacturers advances toward its Critical Design Review (CDR).

In a press release issued on June 29, 2026, the London-based aerospace company announced the long-term agreement with the New York-based supplier. Astronics will provide its CorePower system, which is designed to convert high-voltage power from the aircraft’s propulsion architecture into low-voltage power required for avionics, flight controls, and other essential flight systems.

Power distribution architecture

The integration of the CorePower system addresses a fundamental engineering requirement for electric aviation. The system manages the step-down conversion from the high-voltage battery and propulsion networks to the low-voltage systems that keep the aircraft flying safely.

“Our CorePower system is purpose-built for eVTOL applications, combining high-voltage power conversion with low-voltage power distribution delivering reliable, fault-protected power to flight-critical systems including avionics, flight controls, and navigation,” stated Jon Neal, President of Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems.

The agreement with Astronics is part of Vertical Aerospace’s broader push toward its CDR. This review will establish the certifiable design baseline for the Valo aircraft, allowing the company to transition into certification-conforming production and testing.

“Building a certifiable aircraft requires not only breakthrough technology, but also a world-class supplier ecosystem,” said Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace. “Astronics brings deep expertise in aircraft electrical power systems and has already demonstrated its capabilities through our flight test programme. This agreement is another important step as we mature Valo’s design, strengthen our supply chain and advance toward certification and commercial production.”

Expanding the supplier ecosystem

Astronics joins a growing list of aerospace suppliers partnering with Vertical Aerospace. The company previously selected Hyundai WIA for the aircraft’s landing gear on May 21, 2026. Other established partners on the Valo program include Honeywell, Aciturri, Evolito, Syensqo, and Isoclima.

The supplier announcement follows recent operational milestones for the Valo program. On June 9, 2026, Vertical Aerospace completed the first piloted flight of its final full-scale prototype. The company is targeting a cruise speed of 150 mph and a range of 100 miles for the production aircraft, which currently holds approximately 1,500 pre-orders globally. The development program is supported by a comprehensive financing package of up to $850 million, which closed on April 20, 2026.

AirPro News analysis

The selection of Astronics highlights a maturing phase in the eVTOL sector where manufacturers are shifting from conceptual prototypes to certifiable, production-ready designs. By partnering with established aerospace suppliers rather than attempting to design complex subsystems in-house, Vertical Aerospace reduces its certification risk. The CorePower system is already a known quantity in traditional aviation. Adapting it for the Valo aircraft provides regulatory authorities with familiar technology, which we view as a strategic advantage as the company navigates the complex certification pathways ahead.

Sources: Vertical Aerospace via Business Wire

Vertiport operator UrbanV and Japan Airport Consultants, Inc. (JAC) announced a strategic partnerships on June 12, 2026, to develop ground infrastructure for Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) operations in Japan. The agreement positions the two companies as the technical leads for vertiport development within a broader Tokyo-focused consortium spearheaded by Japan Airlines (JL) and Archer Aviation.

In a press release issued by UrbanV, the companies detailed plans to align local Japanese AAM initiatives with global regulations standards established by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA), the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). The initial focus will center on the Tokyo Metropolitan Area, laying the physical groundwork required for electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to operate in dense urban environments.

Integrating with the Tokyo eVTOL program

The infrastructure agreement directly supports Japan’s ongoing push to commercialize passenger eVTOL flights. In November 2025, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government selected a consortium led by Japan Airlines for the first phase of its eVTOL Implementation Program. UrbanV and JAC will now serve as the strategic technical partners responsible for designing and integrating the vertiports required for this specific initiative.

Takeya Hirano, General Manager of the Planning and Development Department at JAC, highlighted the necessity of merging global insights with local expertise to navigate complex urban and aviation regulations.

“As Japan moves toward the social implementation of Advanced Air Mobility, it is essential to combine international experience with a deep understanding of Japan’s airport, aviation, regulatory and urban environments,” Hirano stated.

Hirano added that JAC will leverage its background in traditional aviation infrastructure to support the realization of a socially accepted AAM ecosystem in Japan.

Fleet scale and the Archer Midnight

The physical infrastructure developed by UrbanV and JAC will primarily support operations utilizing the Archer Midnight aircraft. In November 2024, Archer Aviation and Soracle Corporation, a joint venture between Japan Airlines and Sumitomo Corporation, announced a strategic alliance to launch air taxi operations across Japan.

According to previous consortium announcements, Soracle intends to purchase up to 100 Archer Midnight aircraft to service these routes. The intended orders carries an approximate value of $500 million, representing a significant capital commitment to the Japanese AAM market.

UrbanV Chairman Ivan Bassato noted the importance of the Japanese market for the company’s international expansion strategy, which will eventually explore opportunities beyond Japan.

“Japan is globally recognized for its leadership in technology and innovation. We are honored to enter this market through a solid and long-term partnership with Japan Airport Consultants, a trusted local leader,” Bassato said.

AirPro News analysis

We view the UrbanV and JAC partnership as a necessary maturation step for the Japanese AAM sector. While aircraft orders and consortium formations generate headlines, the physical and regulatory integration of vertiports remains the primary bottleneck for eVTOL commercialization globally. By explicitly targeting alignment with EASA, FAA, and ICAO standards, this partnership indicates that the Japan Airlines consortium intends to build an infrastructure network capable of supporting multiple certification aircraft types in the future, rather than a closed ecosystem limited to a single manufacturer. Securing a dedicated infrastructure partner moves the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s eVTOL program from the conceptual planning phase into concrete urban integration.

Sources: UrbanV