Rolls-Royce is to supply the electrical power system for Vertical Aerospace’s VA-X4, an aircraft set to be one of the world’s first certified all-electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) platforms.
Rolls-Royce said it will integrate an electrical power system into the piloted VTOL vehicle, which will carry up to four passengers for 120 miles at cruise speeds of over 200mph and is on course to certify in 2024.
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Vertical Aerospace is a key collaboration for Rolls-Royce Electrical – a specialist team developing sustainable, efficient and quieter technology for aviation, marine, land and industrial applications – as it marks the company’s first commercial deal in the Urban Air Mobility (UAM) market.
Rolls-Royce will design the system architecture of the whole electrical propulsion system that includes Rolls’ latest 100kW-class lift and push electrical propulsion units, the power distribution and the monitoring system that will support operations.
In a statement, Rob Watson, director – Rolls-Royce Electrical, said: “We are delighted to collaborate with Vertical Aerospace for the electrical technology that will power their pioneering eVTOL aircraft. This exciting opportunity demonstrates our ambitions to be a leading supplier of sustainable complete power systems for the new Urban Air Mobility market which has the potential to transform the way that people and freight move from city to city.”
Michael Cervenka, CEO – Vertical Aerospace added: “This collaboration builds on our existing partnerships and Vertical is well-positioned to develop the world’s leading eVTOL aircraft, certified to the highest CAA and EASA safety standards being set globally.”
Around 150 Rolls-Royce engineers will work with the Vertical Aerospace team on developing the aircraft which is aiming to be one of the world’s first certified eVTOLs. Bristol-based Vertical Aerospace has flown multiple full-scale eVTOL prototypes and the build of VA-X4 will begin shortly with assembly taking place in the UK and the first flight taking place this year.
In a separate development, Rolls-Royce recently announced a partnership with Tecnam and major worldwide aviation partners for the development of the P-Volt, an all-electric, twin electric motor, short and medium range passenger aircraft.
How does the energy consumption of this design (with a very limited payload) stack up with aspirations to move to net zero on emissions? This looks like a complex niche application. The Rotodyne developed some decades ago had a higher payload and range.
The Rotordyne also generated 113dB at 600ft. Which is insane.
@Phil Mortimer
The only energy advantage I can see over a battery electric vehicle would be lower cabin conditioning energy requirement as the journey would be quicker, but that is only true at the extremes of temperature. Otherwise it must take quite a lot more energy to both keep a vehicle in the sky and propel it over the ground, compared to a BEV which just has to propel it over the ground and it can get the benefit of regen.
There seems a lot of excitement about Urban Air Mobility, but as far as I can see its really a quieter, lower cost alternative to helicopters for well heeled individuals rather than something that will become a ubiquitous form of transport. That may change if/when they can dispense with pilots as that will be a significant part of the initial running costs.
Nice Winged concept efficient in cruise with plenty of propellers for take off , watch your owe with the rasa limit a-t-il 3175 kg
I love when people criticise when then dont know the full facts. I worked under arguably the worlds best scientist, Len Heathcote M o S. Using his revoloutionary world beating invention a plasma gun that worked, he sprayed Ceramic onto a graphite former to make a silencer for it. To the delight of observers it sounded ‘like a big Hoover’. But it fell to cuts at the time like too many of the best British Ideas.