Honeywell is to supply the flight deck technologies for Vertical Aerospace’s prototype electric vertical take-off and landing demonstrator aircraft program.
UK-based Vertical Aerospace is demonstrator program will help Vertical Aerospace understand flight characteristics, system requirements and the flight deck user interface to further the development of its urban air mobility (UAM) vehicle.
Vertical Aerospace is aiming for the production version of its all-electric vertical take off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the Seraph, to be capable of carrying a pilot and four passengers up to 100 miles at speeds of up to 240km/h. Vertical also plans to operate the Seraph itself.
The company has already flown two full-scale prototypes of the Seraph at a maximum speed of 80km/h and with a payload of 250kg.
Last year Honeywell supplied Vertical demonstration aircraft with its Compact Fly-By-Wire System and flight control software.
Michael Cervenka, CEO of Vertical Aerospace said, “Vertical is well advanced in the development of its next-generation, high-performance, passenger-carrying vehicle. We are excited at the prospect of broadening our partnership with Honeywell, enabling our vehicles to leverage not only Honeywell’s flight control systems, but also to marry these with the very latest in intuitive and safe flight deck technologies.”
Stéphane Fymat, vice president and general manager, UAS / UAM (unmanned aerial systems / unmanned air mobility), Honeywell Aerospace said, “One of the most important outcomes of this program will be the successful demonstration of simplified vehicle operations, which essentially is about making these aircraft more intuitive and flattening the learning curve to safely fly them.
“We’re excited to be part of its demonstrator aircraft to address this challenge and, in doing so, help move the entire industry forward.”
The new agreement includes several other technologies present in the front end of the aircraft. These include multitouch displays, avionics system controls, avionics software and the vehicle operating system.
These technologies will work together with other systems onboard the aircraft to make the aircraft simpler to operate than a traditional airplane or helicopter, while still ensuring safety of the operator and other occupants. This type of “simplified vehicle operation” will be a transformative next step in the UAM industry.
Honeywell offers avionics, electric and hybrid-electric propulsion systems, and operational systems for unmanned aircraft and drones, as well as aerospace integration and certification expertise for enabling the commercialization of these vehicles.
