UK military ‘eyes innovative electric flying taxi’ as 2029 launch planned
Summary
Vertical Aerospace, a British startup making electric flying taxis, is working to get government approval to carry passengers by 2029. The UK Ministry of Defence has shown interest in a military version of the aircraft, which can take off and land vertically and produces no direct emissions.Key Facts
- Vertical Aerospace demonstrated its electric flying taxi prototype at the Farnborough international airshow.
- The aircraft is an eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle aiming to offer quiet, zero-emission urban flight.
- The company received a total of £48 million in UK government funding, including a recent £10 million grant.
- Vertical Aerospace faced financial challenges in 2024 but was saved through a takeover by US investor Jason Mudrick.
- The firm is working with the UK Civil Aviation Authority to get certification for passenger flights.
- The UK Ministry of Defence is interested in a hybrid-electric military variant of the aircraft for silent and low-heat operations over distances up to 1,000 miles.
- Vertical plans to launch commercial flights carrying four passengers by 2029, after delays from an original 2025 target.
- The aircraft can switch from airplane-like flight to helicopter-like vertical flight by tilting its propellers.
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