Vertical Aerospace is turning to hybrid-electric propulsion to break into defense manufacturing with a new long-range VX4 variant tailored for demanding missions.

On Monday, the UK-based eVTOL developer announced plans to equip its yet-to-be-certified VX4 with a hybrid powertrain, expanding its market beyond urban air mobility to defense, logistics, and emergency-response roles as part of its "Flightpath 2030" strategy.

Figure 1. VX4 Hybrid Aircraft.

Although the original all-electric VX4—currently in-flight testing—is slated for UK and European certification by 2028 (and global approvals by 2030), the hybrid version is designed for scenarios where range and payload capacity exceed the limits of pure-electric systems. Figure 1 shows VX4 Hybrid Aircraft.

Hybrid leap, wider reach

Vertical says the new VX4 will unlock 1,000-mile (1,600 km) missions—roughly ten times the range of the battery-only model—while carrying up to 1,100 kg (2,424 lb) on the same airframe. “There’s surging demand for long-range, high-payload, quiet aircraft in defense and critical logistics,” CEO Stuart Simpson explained. By marrying their world-class battery tech with a fuel-assisted system, Vertical aims to deliver scalable solutions for everything from air ambulances to military transport.

The hybrid propulsion package, developed over 18 months at Vertical’s Energy Centre, will be retrofitted onto a full-scale VX4 prototype, with inaugural flight tests planned for Q2 2026.

Stealth meets stamina

Beyond extended endurance, the hybrid VX4 boasts a low acoustic and thermal signature—critical for sensitive defense operations—and will be offered in both crewed and uncrewed configurations. The autonomous variant will link seamlessly with Honeywell’s forthcoming Flight Control System, enhancing mission flexibility.

Vertical also highlights built-in redundancy and high damage tolerance as cornerstones of its design philosophy, meeting the stringent safety requirements of EASA and the UK CAA. Bench tests have already validated the integration of the hybrid power unit with Vertical’s proprietary battery system and advanced control algorithms.

Because the original VX4 airframe was engineered for adaptability, it accommodates the hybrid upgrade—and its heavier loads—without drastic structural changes. This reuse not only accelerates deployment but also keeps costs and development risks in check.

With this hybrid-electric VX4, Vertical Aerospace positions itself at the intersection of innovation and practicality, targeting a new frontier in air mobility and opening a significant defense and critical-missions revenue stream.

Reference:

1. https://interestingengineering.com/military/verticals-hybrid-vx4-eyes-defense-market

Cite this article:

Keerthana S (2025), VX4 Hybrid Aircraft by Vertical Set to Cover 1,000 Miles in Military and Emergency Roles, AnaTechMaz, pp.320