Vertical Aerospace, a prevalent UK-based eVTOL developer, has just released its long-awaited new air taxi design. The company advertises that its new vehicle will be able to “reduce your journey time by over 80% and eliminate air pollution by flying above the traffic.”

According to Vertical Aerospace, the VA-1X will soon be taken through certification with EASA in Europe, and is on course to start commercial flights in 2024.

The VA-1X has been designed to be a high performing aircraft, able to connect entire regions as well as carrying out shorter missions across single cities. Capable of carrying up to five people, a pilot and four passengers, Vertical hopes for the VA-1X to be the world’s first certified winged all-electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Build will begin shortly, with manufacturing taking place in the UK near Vertical’s headquarters in Bristol.  

With the redesign of its vehicle, Vertical has placed an emphasis on the principles of safety, experience, sustainability, noise reduction, and range. The new design is a substantial departure from Vertical’s previous design, the Seraph, which employed twelve overhead propellers in a multi-rotor fashion to lift a maximum of 550 lbs at speeds up to 50 mph. Shifting toward a far more efficient design with vectored thrust and numerous control surfaces, Vertical has chosen to undertake a more complicated project that will prove difficult to certify, but may have more transport applications than their previous aircraft design.

The VA-1X will feature a 150 mph with a useable range of up to 100 miles, meaning passengers could travel from London to Brighton in approximately half an hour, compared to two hours driving, or an hour by train. It will be completely emissions-free, and certified to the same safety standards as traditional commercial jetliners. Vertical expects initial flight prices to fall somewhere in between a private car trip and a chartered helicopter flight.

Vertical Aerospace’s website elaborates on the features and specifications we can expect to see from the first build of the VA-1X.

The mission of Vertical’s air taxi is to connect entire regions as well as carrying out shorter missions across single cities. The VA-1X is optimized for longer-range flights to take full advantage of the tilt-rotor’s efficient cruise, and its design also fits the “common reference models” released by the Uber in 2017 to help manufacturers meet their ecosystem’s design requirements. However, the two have not made public any discussion on collaboration at this time. Head of Uber Elevate, Eric Allison, responded to the Twitter reveal with positive support, so the stage has been set for a potential partnership down the line as Vertical progresses with a physical manifestation of the aircraft.

Said Michael Cervenka, CEO, Vertical Aerospace:
“eVTOL technology will revolutionize travel, combining the safety of commercial airlines with the disruptive environmental and cost benefits of the electrification of flight. With the launch of the VA-1X, we’re proud to be taking eVTOL one step
closer to mass-market adoption, and supporting the next era of aviation. At Vertical Aerospace we believe that people should be able to quickly and affordably get from A to B without sacrificing the planet – with the VA-1X, this vision will start to be realized in under five years.”

Why it’s important: With no physical prototype yet constructed, Vertical recognizes that it must move quickly to gain EASA type certification and production approval for the VA-1X in support of beginning commercial operations by 2024. To support this timeline, the company plans to forgo sub-scale prototyping and move straight to a full-scale build of the aircraft — with testing of individual systems, such as propellers. Fortunately, suppliers including Honeywell and Dassault Systems’ cloud-based 3DEXPERIENCE have already been working with Vertical as its development program nears the manufacturing phase.

Related:

• Vertical Aerospace eVTOL to be Equipped with Latest Honeywell Flight Deck Technology
• Vertical Aerospace Selects 3DEXPERIENCE for Product Lifecycle Management

Source // Vertical Aerospace; Aviation Today

Vertical Aerospace tweeted it will use Dassault’s 3DEXPERIENCE platform to accelerate product development for its Seraph eVTOL prototype. 3DEXPERIENCE is a cloud-based platform which allows aerospace manufacturers to improve collaboration across design, manufacturing, and testing teams while reducing developmental costs across the value stream. This platform has already been implemented with other eVTOL manufacturers among the likes of Joby Aviation. Vertical Aerospace has a team of 100 engineers and counting and this platform will help give a leg up on the competition.

Before the outbreak of #COVID19, @VerticalAero adopted the #3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud. So, even though they are working from home, the team’s mission to revolutionize how people fly is continuing at full speed. Learn how you can do the same: https://t.co/KZN86CPaJ4 pic.twitter.com/yOCdZmPPMl

— 3DEXCITE (@3DEXCITE) June 8, 2020

“At Vertical Aerospace we were fortunate to have moved onto the 3DEXPERIENCE platform on cloud before we were remote working,” said Owen Thompson Cheel, Flight Systems IPT Lead, Vertical Aerospace. “The team has all they need to work from home and by using the platform on cloud we have been able to continue working with virtually no difference in performance. It’s an excellent case for working on the cloud, and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform has allowed us to remain agile and secure without loss of capability, effectively maintaining business continuity.”

Vertical Aerospace will be able to use the cloud-based platform to efficiently deliver its prototype to market while minimizing costs and maintaining quality across the product life-cycle.

“Disruptive innovators like Vertical Aerospace are using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud to advance their compelling vision for sustainable mobility and invent new industries,” said David Ziegler, Vice President, Aerospace & Defense Industry, Dassault Systèmes. “As businesses today must completely rethink the way they work, the 3DEXPERIENCE platform on the cloud offers the largest portfolio of applications for product design and engineering from anywhere, with a high level of performance and secure, efficient access to data.”

Why it matters: Dassault Systems is known for its contributions to aerospace program development, most notably its CATIA/ENOVIA/SOLIDWORKS product lineups used by major OEMs including Boeing and Airbus. The 3DEXPERIENCE platform leverages 21st century mobility principles with the latest product life cycle product management technology, ultimately lowering the barriers to entry for players in the aerial mobility space.

Vertical Aerospace announced on Monday morning that they have appointed a new Chief Engineer, Tim Williams. Tim previous spent 10 years as the Chief Engineer at Rolls-Royce, and is a longstanding experienced member of the aerospace industry, having spent 34 years in aviation total.

Tim stated that he was “thrilled” to join Vertical Aerospace and that he is impressed with the similarities between the companies progress within aerospace that have leveraged background from Formula 1 Racing. Michael Cervenka, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, added his positivity in Williams joining the new role, stating that the Williams’ “empowering leadership style and passion for challenging the status quo fits perfectly with Vertical’s pioneering ethos”.

As a reflection of the truly unique times that face the industry, Tim will be taking on his new role completely virtually, beginning work with the the design team at Vertical from his home.

Vertical Aerospace flew last October a prototype eVTOL dubbed the Seraph: a 12-bladed, six power drive unit configuration eVTOL that was capable of carrying 250kg in the air that boasted the modern lines and sleek appearance that many have come to expect from F1 Racing cars, but not as commonplace amongst the aerial mobility industry. Vertical continues to work with the UK’s Civil Aviation Agency (CAA) for commercial approval of the aircraft that will ultimately come from EASA, the European Union Aviation Safety Agency.

Why it’s important: This is a big announcement for Vertical Aerospace; the company is well suited to take advantage of Williams as a new Chief Engineer, and will likely benefit from a long standing member of aerospace to ensure that Vertical maintains an intense focus on the research and development of their eVTOL prototype, even despite the current global challenges within the aerospace industry which has been heavily impacted from a primary financial standpoint as discretionary and business travel has been severely curbed.

Vertical Aerospace becomes the first company in the world to unveil flight footage of an eVTOL aircraft capable of carrying 250kg – the equivalent of a pilot and two passengers.

Bristol-based startup Vertical Aerospace has revealed flight footage of an electric vertical take off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) capable of carrying loads of up to 250kg – the first company in the world to do so. The prototype, named Seraph, completed its maiden flight at Llanbedr Airfield in Wales on August 22. It follows the successful flight of Vertical Aerospace’s first full-scale prototype in May 2018, the UK’s first eVTOL aircraft to be granted flight permission by the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA). Vertical Aerospace is working closely with global aviation regulators, including EASA, to achieve certification for
commercial flight.

Vertical Aerospace’s mission is to make air travel personal, on-demand and carbon free. Founded in 2016 by entrepreneur Stephen Fitzpatrick, the team has grown to more than 70 world-class engineers and technical experts, recruited from Airbus, Boeing, Rolls-Royce, Jaguar Land Rover and Formula 1. By combining aerospace engineering excellence with new technologies from Formula 1, Vertical Aerospace hopes to help decarbonize the trillion dollar commercial aviation industry and provide a new mode of city-to-city passenger transport.

The Seraph was built to test new technologies and systems for integration into Vertical Aerospace’s upcoming passenger model, due to be unveiled next year. The aircraft is capable of carrying loads of up to 250kg and can reach speeds of up to 80km per hour. It features a unique passive cooling system and a customizable design, meaning it can be made larger or smaller, or fitted with wheels or floats to facilitate water landings. With the Seraph, Vertical Aerospace’s team has further developed concepts from its first aircraft and built in capabilities which will be critical for attaining certification from aviation authorities.

“Today is another major milestone on the path towards carbon free flight. One year ago, we flew a full scale electric VTOL aircraft, the UK’s first. Today, we’re revealing flight footage of our second full scale prototype, the Seraph, an air taxi prototype capable of carrying 250kg. Air travel is one of the worst contributors to climate change and among the slowest sectors to decarbonize. Our mission at Vertical Aerospace is to make personal, on demand and carbon free flight a reality.” –Stephen Fitzpatrick, Founder and CEO of Vertical Aerospace.

The successful test flight comes as Vertical Aerospace announces the acquisition of MGI, an F1 engineering consultancy led by British motorsport veteran Mike Gascoyne. Gascoyne and his team of 20 specialists will form Vertical Advanced Engineering, bringing the total Vertical team up to more than 70 members. The team bring decades of experience building high performance vehicles for Formula 1 and Formula E, having worked with international racing teams including Williams, McLaren, Tyrell, Benetton, Renault and Lotus. They will apply the latest technologies and agile processes from F1 to the development of eVTOL aircraft, including for example, best practice in building fast, light-weight composite structures. The acquisition will allow Vertical Aerospace to accelerate the development of its eVTOL technology, bringing superior certified aircraft to market more quickly.

 “We have long believed that the technologies and approaches from Formula 1 could be applied to a range of engineering challenges. Vertical Aerospace’s vision provides a fantastic outlet for our experience and a unique opportunity to shape the future of flight.Joining the Vertical team will allow us to work on cutting edge engineering programs while continuing to provide world-class consultancy services to the wider engineering community.” –Mike Gascoyne, CTO of Vertical Advanced Engineering

Working closely with global aviation regulators, including EASA, Vertical Aerospace will begin with piloted air taxi services on city-to-city routes. Over time, as the technology and regulatory framework develops, it will expand the number of chartered routes served, introduce elements of autonomy, and ultimately, make completely on-demand air taxis a reality. The company has already begun the certification process for its next model, a passenger aircraft due to be unveiled next year.

Why it matters: Vertical Aerospace’s Seraph represents a major breakthrough in prototype eVTOLs. The company has been steadily working on the Seraph since its first prototype in May 2018, and has proved its significant potential with the latest 250kg capable flights. Vertical Aerospace’s announcement is important not only for the company itself, but is also an indicator of the vast improvement and progress being made in the aerial mobility as a whole.

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In a letter to investors for public release, Vertical Aerospace has shared an update on its flight test program following an incident last month involving one of its VX4 flight test prototype aircraft. According to the release, Vertical does not expect any significant impact to its certification timeline.

The release stated the VX4 flight test prototype has concluded its remote thrustborne flight test campaign as of July 2023, as the first full-scale VX4 prototype reached its target speed of 40kts (70 kmph), demonstrating exceptional overall stability and control.

Performance targets were generally exceeded by 10-30% during hover and low speed flights. The prototype performed especially well in sustained hover, typically the most challenging regime for a VTOL aircraft, where it maintained level flight for longer than anticipated. The aim of these thrustborne flight tests was to verify acceptable stability, battery efficiency and control characteristics, aerodynamics, structural loads, performance and vibration throughout this speed range – all of which were achieved.

During one of these test flights, an unexpected fault occurred causing the aircraft to enter a stable descent, before being damaged on impact with the ground. Vertical completed a swift and thorough investigation and submitted a report to the Air Accidents Investigation Branch (AAIB). Vertical’s investigation identified the root cause to be a fault with a propeller. This early generation propeller had already been redesigned prior to the incident, with the issue fully resolved ahead of the next phase of testing. Further recommendations by the investigation are being implemented by Vertical.

Stephen Fitzpatrick, Vertical Founder and CEO, commented: “We are pleased with our flight test progress to date and the data, insights and invaluable learnings we have collected. While a fault of any sort is disappointing, it is not wholly unexpected at this stage of testing a novel aircraft. I am pleased that as a result of our expert team we have isolated the cause of the fault and been able to provide the AAIB with our report within 14 days of the incident. Our planned second upgraded prototype, which will include most of our top tier partners’ technology, will have us in the air early next year and we remain on track for our certification timelines”

Why it matters: Despite the setback of a flight test incident, Vertical remains on track for its certification timeline. The company stated it is also developing a second, more advanced flight test prototype of the VX4 model which will be ready to fly in early 2024. Expect more updates as Vertical progresses toward entry to service of its eVTOL aircraft.

Source: Vertical Press Release

Doroni Aerospace has reached a remarkable milestone in the development of its innovative two-seat eVTOL aircraft. Priced at US$195,000, this “buy ‘n’ fly” eVTOL is another in a series of aircraft aimed at changing the way people view personal transportation. The company made headlines recently when its CEO, Doron Merdinger, piloted the prototype for its inaugural manned flight.

The Doroni H1 boasts a bubble cabin suspended by eight large, ducted coaxial propellers cleverly integrated into front and rear wings of equal size. Similar to other personal eVTOLs like the SkyFly Axe and Air One, the H1 employs upward-tilted wings. This unique configuration allows the aircraft to transition from a hover to forward flight, generating lift at that angle.

What sets the Doroni H1 apart is the inclusion of a horizontal propulsion system, consisting of two rear-mounted pusher props. While specific implementation details remain undisclosed, this additional propulsion system enhances the H1’s overall performance and capabilities.

During the recent manned flight test, the prototype exhibited its functionality, albeit in a stripped-down configuration. Without wings, pusher props, or windows, and with minimal bodywork except for a basic cabin cover, the prototype showcased the potential of Doroni’s groundbreaking technology. The rudimentary landing gear resembled a repurposed barbell, while a battery box occupied the passenger seat area, highlighting the prototype’s raw state.

Despite its minimalist appearance, the prototype achieved a significant milestone by successfully carrying a person onboard. Although the flight was brief and displayed some instability, even within the controlled indoor environment, it undeniably marked a noteworthy achievement.

To witness this historic flight, Doroni Aerospace has provided a video (linked below) in which the intended bodywork has been overlaid, giving viewers a glimpse of the finalized design. The accompanying footage captures the exuberant celebration of the team, showcasing the enthusiasm surrounding this groundbreaking accomplishment.

In a YouTube description box, CEO Doron Merdinger expressed his absolute thrill regarding the team’s remarkable success in completing the first-ever manned test flight of a personal 2-seater eVTOL in the United States. Merdinger described the experience as floating on a cushion of air, evoking an unparalleled sense of freedom and excitement. The CEO’s boundless enthusiasm reflects his anticipation of delivering these extraordinary vehicles to the world. Merdinger firmly believes that Doroni Aerospace’s technology stands out within the aerospace industry, poised to revolutionize personal transportation in unprecedented ways.

Congratulations are in order for the Doroni Aerospace team on reaching this significant milestone. As development progresses, it will be fascinating to witness the capabilities of the fully assembled aircraft during cruising. Doroni has promised an impressive range of approximately 60 miles (100 km) per charge, cruising speeds of 100 mph (160 km/h), and top speeds reaching 140 mph (225 km/h).

Looking ahead, the company aims to subject the design to comprehensive testing and pursue FAA certification as a Light Sport Aircraft by 2024. Customer deliveries are anticipated to begin in 2025. Prospective pilots will be required to complete a minimum of 20 hours of training to operate these extraordinary eVTOLs, ensuring safety and adherence to regulatory standards. Doroni Aerospace remains steadfast in its mission to redefine the future of personal transportation, ushering in a new era of mobility.

Why it’s important: The recent milestone achieved by Doroni Aerospace in completing the first manned flight of their two-seat eVTOL aircraft is important in the aerial mobility industry because this flight demonstrates progress towards the realization of personal flying cars and the future of urban air mobility. By successfully combining vertical takeoff and landing capabilities with forward flight, Doroni’s innovative design opens up possibilities for efficient and accessible transportation in congested urban environments.

Vertical Aerospace just announced that South Korean mobility technology company, Kakao Mobility, has pre-ordered up to 50 of Vertical’s VX4 aircraft, adding South Korea to Vertical’s list of customer launch markets.

Kakao Mobility, the largest Mobility-as-a-Service (MaaS) platform in South Korea with more than 30 million registered users, is the mobility subsidiary of South Korean internet giant, Kakao Corporation. Kakao Mobility runs the country’s most popular taxi-hailing app, Kakao T, providing taxi-hailing, designated driver booking, parking space search, and Kakao Navi app providing real-time traffic information services.

Vertical and Kakao Mobility will establish a Joint Working Group (JWG) to drive the commercialization of AAM services in South Korea, including the exploration of network and fleet planning, infrastructure requirements, regulatory development, and consumer awareness of eVTOL mobility solutions.

This JWG builds on Vertical’s existing consortium partnership with Kakao Mobility, LG Uplus, GS E&C, and the continued engagement with Korea’s Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport, for the K-UAM Grand Challenge (K-UAM GC).

Stephen Fitzpatrick, Vertical’s Founder and CEO, said “We are delighted to be partnering with Kakao Mobility. With its over 30 million registered users, Kakao Mobility is the go-to choice to ‘hail a ride’ and with our partnership, we look forward to people across South Korea being able to fly in a VX4 in the years to come. We are thrilled to be working together to make our joint vision a reality’.”

Alex Ryu, CEO of Kakao Mobility commented, “Kakao Mobility is the leading mobility platform and in an AI-enabled world with needs for faster, eco-friendly means of moving, we understand that UAM will be a game-changer in the near future. We are excited to take part in Vertical Aerospace’s mission to launch its VX4 globally and to bring an UAM service to Korean market. We will be expanding our business not only on the ground but to the sky through this partnership. As a consolidated mobility platform, Kakao Mobility will develop the “De Facto Standard” for UAM services. We look forward to collaborating closely to complete the K-UAM Grand Challenge successfully and into commercialization shortly after K-UAM GC.”

Vertical already has strong ties to South Korea with Hanwha, a key partner for the VX4 certification aircraft. Vertical is leveraging Hanwha’s four decades of industrial expertise to collaborate on the development and supply of actuator systems for the VX4.

Related:

• Vertical Aerospace moves towards Certification with VX4 eVTOL Aircraft
• Marubeni Pre-Orders 25 Aircraft from Vertical Aerospace, Conducts Proof of Concept Operations in Osaka
• Vertical to Partner with Babcock for Development of eVTOL EMS Applications

Why it’s important: South Korea is one of the largest economies in the world and is home to globally leading technology companies. Seoul, as well as other regions including Busan, is expected to have a significant Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market potential. The agreement with Kakao Mobility marks Vertical’s first partnership with a mobility technology company, enabling Vertical to leverage their existing customer base and vehicle network to create a seamless air-to-ground passenger journey and UAM ecosystem in the country.

Doroni Aerospace, Inc., a startup in the aerial mobility industry, is making an innovative 2-seater eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft). The company recently announced the launch of its Series A Reg D funding round, providing investors with an online platform to participate in this investment opportunity. This marks a significant milestone for Doroni as it propels the development and growth of its cutting-edge technology.

Doroni Aerospace has witnessed tremendous success over the past six months, including the completion of an impressive 53 successful test flights and raising $3.6 million through equity crowdfunding from over 1,900 investors. The latest Reg D investment round plays a crucial role in the company’s journey towards obtaining official certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA). Doroni plans to initiate deliveries of the first units sold in the second half of 2025.

With the closing of the Series A Reg D Offering, Doroni Aerospace is embarking on the next phase of its mission to change personal mobility and transportation. This development ushers in a new chapter for the company, enabling it to further develop its mobility platform, attract new partners and investors, and scale its operations.

“This offering represents a significant milestone in our endeavor to revolutionize the aviation and personal mobility industry. By pushing the boundaries of technology, we aim to provide our customers with unparalleled convenience and sustainability, setting new benchmarks for the transportation segment,” said Yaakov Werdiger, COO of Doroni Aerospace.

Despite raising less than the industry standard funding thus far, Doroni Aerospace has achieved remarkable success in its operations. According to the company, this achievement is a testament to the team’s agility and strategy. Consequently, Doroni now positions itself favorably in the eyes of potential investors, showcasing its ability to maximize resources and deliver on investment resources.

Doroni Aerospace’s flagship product, the H1, a two-seater personal eVTOL, is currently available for pre-order and has already begun receiving deposits. With an estimated starting retail price of $250,000, the H1 will offer individuals a unique opportunity to own, fly, and store their own eVTOL in a standard two-car garage. The aircraft qualifies for the light sport category, allowing owner operators to complete a 20-hour training course provided by the company, in order to begin flying.

“We are thrilled by the extraordinary success of our flight tests, which have truly demonstrated the immense capabilities of the Doroni eVTOL. We are resolute in our mission to revolutionize personal transportation, creating innovative and cutting-edge solutions that will reshape our interactions with space and beyond,” said Doron Merdinger, CEO, and Founder of Doroni Aerospace.

Doroni Aerospace is also receiving the support of Space Florida, a state agency dedicated to preserving Florida’s leading position in the global aerospace industry. Space Florida is actively assisting Doroni in expanding its operations by providing land, facilities, and tooling. Tony Gannon, VP Research & Innovation, and Matt Chesnut, VP Business and Economic Development, serve as close collaborators and fervent supporters of Doroni’s vision.

Why it’s important: Doroni’s innovative 2-seater eVTOL and its success in test flights and fundraising exemplify the potential of the private-ownership segment for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft. By providing accredited investors with an opportunity to participate in Doroni’s growth, the new investment not only signifies a major milestone for the company but also showcases the viability and attractiveness of the private eVTOL market. According to the company, Doroni’s advancements in technology, coupled with its commitment to sustainability and convenience, can inspire other companies in the small-aircraft aerial mobility sector. The success of Doroni Aerospace in revolutionizing personal mobility further accelerates the overall progress and development of the aerial mobility industry, bringing us closer to a future where flying cars and sustainable transportation options become a reality worldwide.

Source // Globe Newswire, Doroni

Hillwood hosted the second annual Forward Fort Worth mobility innovation summit early in March this year, a gathering of 150 supply chain executives, entrepreneurs, and investors from across the globe committed to advancing and commercializing mobility innovation throughout the supply chain.
 

“Now more than ever, surface and air mobility innovation across the supply chain requires a powerful combination of people, places and unparalleled strategic partnerships,” said Hillwood Director of Logistics Innovation Ian Kinne. “The two-day event provided a great opportunity for discussion on the innovative technologies and advancements that will ultimately shape the future of mobility for a wide variety of supply chain stakeholders.”

On March 1st, Mike Berry, president of Hillwood, was joined by Fort Worth Mayor, Mattie Parker and Perot Jain Managing Partner, Anurag Jain to welcome attendees and kick off the program at Hotel Drover in Mule Alley. With the overarching goal of driving cross-stakeholder conversations that accelerate the commercialization of transformative mobility technologies throughout the supply chain, the two-day event featured the following panel topics:
     • Warehouse of the Future 
     • The Integration & Commercialization of Advanced Air Mobility Aircraft
     • The Future of Transportation: OEM Perspective
     • FreightWaves State of the Market
     • Which Comes First, Vehicles or the Infrastructure? 
     • Investing in Technologies for Resilient Supply Chains

Speakers and panelists represented AFWERX, City of Fort Worth, ConGlobal, Crown Castle, DroneUp, FAA Southwest Region, FreightWaves, Gideon, Great Dane, Hillwood, Ironspring Ventures, Joby Aviation, NASA, NFI, Nikola Corp., PepsiCo, Perot Jain, Peterbilt Motors, Robotic Research, Ryder System, Inc., Sidewalk Infrastructure Partners, Terberg Taylor Americas, Uber Freight, Visit Fort Worth, and Waabi.

Why it’s important: Hillwood’s Forward Mobility Summit focused on an entire mobility ecosystem and included attendees from various areas of the industry, not just on companies manufacturing eVTOLs or electric vehicles or the IT or software firms that help to coordinate logistical problems; the summit helped to bring together a variety of players that more completely represent multimodal approaches to mobility and who will hopefully be able to leverage one another’s strengths to more efficiently build out the future mobility landscape in Fort Worth and beyond.

Learn more about Hillwood’s focus on convening mobility innovators and visionaries at the AllianceTexas Mobility Innovation Zone here.

Toray Advanced Composites has strengthened their commercial partnership with Specialty Materials this October at CAMX 2022. The joint collaboration will improve the supply chain by uniting Specialty’s boron fiber with Toray Composite Materials America’s domestically produced high-strength intermediate modulus carbon fibers T1100G and a variety of Toray Advanced Composites’ resin systems including toughened epoxies, cyanate esters, bismaleimides, and polyimides for the Specialty Materials’ Gen 2 Hy-Bor® product family.

The Composites and Advanced Materials Expo (CAMX) 2022 is currently taking place in Anaheim, CA from October 17-20. The exposition is the largest, most comprehensive composites and advanced materials event in North America.

Toray and Specialty Materials’ next-generation product family is a high-performance hybrid prepreg tailored to enhance the structural efficiency of composite structures such as spars, longerons, rotors, and control surfaces for aerospace applications by tuning compression and stiffness properties. “Our relationship with Toray Advanced Composites has enabled this unique prepreg portfolio which provides engineering teams new options for optimizing performance of composite structures,” said Monica Rommel, CEO of Specialty Materials.

This commercial partnership enables engineers to easily control and manage key variables for unique solution innovations with domestically produced high-quality products within the US supply chain. “Toray Advanced Composites partnership with Specialty Materials leverages both companies’ technologies to tailor a solution to the most demanding applications,” commented Joe Morris, Director of DoD programs from Toray Advanced Composites.

Related:

• Overair Selects Toray for Advanced Composite Materials in Butterfly eVTOL Prototype – July 2022
• Lilium Jet to be Fitted with Toray Industries High Performance Composite Materials – July 2020

Why it’s important: As many eVTOL and air taxi OEMs near production-ready designs and begin manufacturing at scale, they will increasingly be reliant on dependable suppliers to provide affordable composite assemblies. Many OEMs are creating one-of-a-kind airframes with unique geometries that can only be achieved via custom composite structures with top-grade materials. The partnership between Toray and Specialty Materials is likely to culminate in a source of structural components for these nascent air taxi manufacturers, such as Overair, Lilium, and Joby Aviation who already have long-term contracts with Toray.