Vertical has agreed to extend its partnership with Hanwha Aerospace, the pair have signed an agreement to jointly develop tilt and blade pitch control systems for Vertical’s eVTOL. 

The deal, which follows the signing of a contract last year for the development of EMA (Electro-Mechanical Actuation), was signed during the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition 2023.

With the signing of the new agreement, Hanwha is now responsible for all actuation systems of Vertical’s VX4 air taxi. “The strong relationship between the two companies has been firmly established by participating in the development of EMA and demonstration aircraft,”said Jae-il Son, the CEO and president of Hanwha. “The expansion of our business with Vertical to include a top electric actuator system is excellent as Hanwha has been recognised for our competitiveness in system technology in the future mobility field.” Hanwha said it plans to achieve global airworthiness certification standards for mass-producted actuations and mechanical systems.

Beginning with the development of the EMA, Hanwha moved to expand the partnership to include design of a blade pitch mechanism for Vertical’s second prototype. Therefore it has expanded the scope again to include a blade pitch control system and a tilt system, both of which are closely linked to the EMA.

For an eVTOL aircraft, the actuation and mechanical systems are critical, with the blade pitch control and tilt systems being critical components for stable flight controlled by the flight control system, according to Hanwha.

Michael Cervenka, CTO of Vertical Aerospace, said: “There has been an opportunity to cooperate with Hanwha in the development of our prototype VX4s that will continue through to the production aircraft; it started with the development of EMA, and now our partnership has deepened by expanding to critical aircraft mechanical systems.” 

Vertical Aerospace’s next VX4 prototype, incorporating Hanwha’s technology, is being assembled in the UK to begin test flying in 2024.