Vertical Aerospace partners with GKN Aerospace on wing structure for VA-X4 eVTOL
GKN will deliver wing structures and wiring systems for the composites-intensive, zero-emissions aircraft.
![VA-X4 composite electric vertical takeoff and landing EVTOL aircraft](https://d2n4wb9orp1vta.cloudfront.net/cms/brand/cw/2021-cw/0921-cw-news-vertical-gkn.jpg;maxWidth=720)
A rendering of the VA-X4. Photo Credit: Vertical Aerospace
On Sept. 17, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) vehicle manufacturer Vertical Aerospace (Bristol, U.K.) announced a developed and production agreement with GKN Aerospace (Redditch, U.K.) for the wing structures and wiring system on Vertical’s VA-X4 aircraft. The zero-emissions VA-X4 is said to have a carbon fiber composite airframe and custom-designed wings.
Vertical plans to benefit from GKN Aerospace’s experience in aerostructures design and manufacture for leading commercial and defense aircraft, track record with safety and certification and 41 manufacturing locations across 13 countries. GKN Aerospace’s wing structures and wiring are expected to lead to a VA-X4 aircraft with higher performance; lower manufacturing costs, weight and emissions; a secure path to certification; global production; and shorter production times and lower unit costs.
GKN Aerospace joins Vertical’s ecosystem of partners including Solvay (Brussels, Belgium), Rolls-Royce (London, U.K.), Honeywell (Phoenix, Ariz., U.S.) and Microsoft (Redmond, Wash., U.S.).
Stephen Fitzpatrick, founder and CEO at Vertical, says, “We are delighted that [GKN Aerospace is] joining our unrivalled partner ecosystem. Their expertise in producing aerospace systems and structures will help the VA-X4 to meet the stringent safety standards mandated by the CAA and EASA, an essential step forward in our efforts to electrify flight.”
John Pritchard, president of GKN Aerospace’s Civil business, says, “The rapid progress being made towards electric aircraft is a game-changer for the industry. GKN Aerospace has decades of experience as a leader in both aerostructures and EWIS and we are excited to use that expertise to accelerate the transition to more sustainable aviation. Vertical has a great vision and we are proud that our technology can help bring that to reality and shape the future of flight.”
Related Content
-
Paris Air Show 2023 highlights
The Paris Air Show, one of the largest aerospace trade shows in the world, returned for the first time since 2019 and proved that the global aviation industry industry is very much alive and kicking.
-
ZeroAvia advances to certify ZA600 in 2025, launch ZA2000 with liquid hydrogen in 2027
Lightweight composite tanks are key to ZeroAvia’s vision for H2 aircraft to rival range and utility of jet fuel aviation.
-
JEC World 2023 highlights: Innovative prepregs, bio-resins, automation, business development
CW’s Jeff Sloan checks in with JEC innovations from Solvay, A&P, Nikkiso, Voith, Hexcel, KraussMaffei, FILL, Web Industries, Sicomin, Bakelite Synthetics, Westlake Epoxy and Reliance Industries.