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

This article summarizes reporting by eVTOL Insights by Jason Pritchard.

British electric aviation developer Sora Aviation announced on June 25, 2026, the successful completion of a subscale vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) flight testing program for its proposed 30-seat S-1 aircraft at the Snowdonia Aerospace Centre in Wales. The campaign generated critical flight data that will directly inform the design of the full-scale prototype, which is targeted to fly in 2028.

According to reporting by eVTOL Insights, the subscale demonstrator completed dozens of flights over several months. The testing allowed engineers to evaluate the aircraft’s stability, control, and flight characteristics during repeated VTOL operations in a lower-risk environment. This milestone is intended to de-risk the technology before the company begins construction on the full-scale prototype.

Subscale testing and validation strategy

Sora Aviation Chief Executive Officer Furqan Afzal emphasized the company’s comprehensive approach to development. As reported by eVTOL Insights, Afzal stated the manufacturers invested in a rigorous validation strategy that combines simulation, laboratory testing, wind tunnel campaigns, and representative flight demonstrators.

“This milestone demonstrates the maturity of our development approach and the strength of the engineering foundations underpinning the S-1 programme,” Afzal said.

The data gathered at the Welsh testing facility will be used to refine the S-1’s engineering foundations. Aerospace Global News reported that Afzal views the flight data as validation of the aircraft’s potential, noting that the results reinforce the company’s confidence that the S-1 can deliver the required performance, safety, and economics for advanced air mobility operations.

S-1 program timeline and commercial milestones

The S-1 is designed as a 30-seat electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Aerospace Global News reported that the full-scale prototype is projected to make its first flight in 2028. The flight testing milestone follows earlier component validation efforts. On January 20, 2026, Sora Aviation began testing the S-1’s energy storage system at a bespoke battery performance laboratory at the IAAPS centre, in collaboration with the University of Bath.

The company has also secured early commercial interest and explored alternative applications for the airframe. In March 2025, South Korean charter operator Moviation signed a pre-order agreement for 20 S-1 aircraft, intending to deploy them on high-demand airport shuttle routes, according to Aviation International News. Aviation Week reported in May 2026 that Sora Aviation was studying a conceptual hybrid-electric variant of the 30-seat aircraft for potential use as a United Kingdom Navy helicopter.

AirPro News analysis

We view the completion of subscale flight testing as a standard but essential risk-reduction step for any novel eVTOL configuration. By validating aerodynamic models and flight control laws on a subscale airframe, Sora Aviation can identify and correct stability issues before committing to the high costs of full-scale prototype manufacturing. The 30-seat capacity of the S-1 places it in a larger size category than many competing eVTOL designs, which typically target four to six passengers. This larger payload requirement will place significant demands on the aircraft’s battery and thermal management systems, making the concurrent testing at the IAAPS centre critical to the program’s viability.

Sources: Sora Aviation