Vertical Aerospace Partners with Aciturri to Build VX4 eVTOL Airframe
The deal advances Vertical Aerospace’s production of electric aircraft as the company targets certification and commercial rollout of its VX4.
(London, UK, New York, USA, & Miranda de Ebro, Spain) Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) has teamed up with Spanish aerospace supplier Aciturri Aerostructures to build the airframe for its VX4 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft.
Photo of Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft courtesy of Vertical Aerospace.
According to a joint release posted today (Aug. 4), Aciturri will build the full airframe for the VX4, including key parts like the wing, fuselage, tail, and pylons. The company will also help with design and manufacturing to make sure the aircraft can be built safely, efficiently, and at scale.
Per Vertical Aerospace’s website, the VX4 is a four-passenger eVTOL aircraft designed to be clean, quiet, and safe, with zero operating emissions. Vertical is also planning a hybrid-electric version of the VX4 to offer more range and flexibility.
Aciturri has decades of experience building parts for major aircraft like the Airbus A320 (Airbus: EPA: AIR) and Boeing 737 (Boeing: NYSE: BA). The company also has experience in the growing eVTOL market, working on aircraft for Eve Air Mobility (NYSE: EVEX) and Lilium (NASDAQ: LILM).
Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace said, “As we accelerate toward commercialization, the VX4 demands an airframe built specifically for the unique challenges of eVTOL and the highest levels of safety certification. As a leading, global supplier, Aciturri brings the world-class capability, agility, and technical excellence we need to turn great designs into great aircraft. Their proven track record makes them the ideal partner as we advance our mission to deliver the safest, most versatile aircraft in the skies.”
Manuel Gonzalez Relaño, CEO at Aciturri Aerostructures said, “Aciturri and Vertical share a strong commitment to advancing the future of air mobility by redefining urban transport with sustainable electric flight. With Vertical’s position as Europe’s leading eVTOL company, we look forward to partnering together through development, certification, and production to deliver a globally exportable and commercially viable eVTOL aircraft.”
Per Vertical Aerospace, this partnership supports Vertical’s long‑term production strategy as part of its "Flightpath 2030" plan, by securing key parts early and follows recent progress which includes collaboration with Honeywell (NASDAQ: HON) to supply flight control systems, and builds on Vertical’s latest milestone of completing its first airport‑to‑airport flights.
VX4 specs:
- Cruise speed: 150 mph
- Range: 100 mi
- Emissions: 0
- In-flight experience: 4 pax, 1 pilot
- Sound Design: Near silent in flight, per Vertical Aerospace’s website
- Flight control system: Built in partnership with Honeywell
- Airframe: Electric, built in partnership with Syensqo and Leonardo
- Certification: The VX4 aircraft will meet global UK CAA/EASA SC-VTOL enhanced category certification standards, the same level of safety as current passenger airliners, per Vertical Aerospace.
