Textron eAviation, on Oct. 7, announced its aim to begin flight tests of its Nexus eVTOL in 2025, first with tethered hover tests at the National Institute of Aviation Research (NIAR) facility in Wichita, Kansas, followed by uncrewed flights at Salina Regional Airport in that state.
Pivotal reported on Oct. 1 that it had shipped 13 single-seat Blackfly eVTOLs to defense and "Early Access" customers for the preproduction version of its Helix aircraft.
LIFT Aircraft, on Oct. 1, announced a $1.65M contract from the US Army Applications Laboratory (AAL) to design a medical multi-mission modular payload (shown), a container that can carry blood and conduct casualty evacuation (CASEVAC) missions.
Rolls-Royce Electrical is preparing to shutter its operations, the engine maker confirmed in news reports after failing to secure a buyer for the electric propulsion unit.
Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing Company, announced on Aug. 27 the completion of a seven-hour flight test of its SKIRON-XLE small uncrewed aircraft system (sUAS) powered by hydrogen fuel cells and an auxiliary lithium polymer battery.
Dufour Aerospace on Aug. 26 announced the first hover flight of its production tiltwing VTOL drone, showcasing the advanced flight controls of its production model, the Aero2 (shown).
Aska, on Aug. 15, disclosed its ongoing tethered uncrewed flight tests with its full-scale A5 “roadable hybrid-electric VTOL” prototype (N901NF) at “a private airfield located in California.”
On Aug. 12, Russia’s United Aircraft Corporation showcased an outdoor display of its S-76 cargo drone prototype, built by the Sukhoi Design Bureau, at Russia’s Army International Military-Technical Forum in Moscow.
Japan-based SkyDrive announced on June 17 that the US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) had begun its process for type certification for its three-seat SD-05 eVTOL (shown) and will coordinate with Japan’s Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB) to certificate the aircraft in both nations.
In September, Vertical Aerospace announced the first half-year 2024 financial results and the completion of Phase 1 of the piloted flight test program. Vertiflite spoke to Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Stuart Simpson.
