Following a landmark announcement this week, NYSE-listed Vertical Aerospace, led by CEO Stuart Simpson, has unveiled plans for a hybrid-electric variant of its VX4 vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft, with testing set to begin as early as the second quarter of 2026. Speaking on NYSE TV Live, Simpson detailed an innovation poised to redefine urban air mobility, defense, and logistics—opening a new chapter for a sector long constrained by range and payload limitations.

Check out our chat on the amazing VTOL technology:

Simpson highlighted the company’s 18-month journey developing a new hybrid powertrain that can be retrofitted into the existing VX4 airframe. “We can fit it in our current aircraft,” he said. “It’ll give us a 1,000-mile range, 1,100 kg of payload, and opens up defense markets [for] long-range commercial. It’s phenomenal.” This hybrid model represents a tenfold increase in range from Vertical’s all-electric predecessor, a leap enabled by integrating advanced battery technology with a combustion-based range extender, as reported by Military Aerospace and Zag Daily.

The new aircraft is tailored for markets where current all-electric VTOLs fall short—particularly defense, logistics, and emergency medical services. “The demand for long-range, high-payload, quiet aircraft is growing rapidly—especially across defense and critical logistics,” Simpson noted during his NYSE interview. The hybrid’s low acoustic and thermal signatures, combined with its ability to operate in both crewed and uncrewed modes, make it uniquely positioned for sensitive or high-stakes missions.

Simpson’s confidence in the platform’s adoption is backed by a major contract with Honeywell, announced alongside Vertical’s restructuring and board strengthening efforts. The partnership, valued at over a billion dollars, will support certification and large-scale production. “We are putting all the foundation stones in place for Vertical to be a winner in this space,” Simpson stated. The company also boasts more than 1,300 orders for its fully electric model, with American Airlines among its leading customers.

Addressing concerns about the safety of these next-generation aircraft, Simpson assured potential passengers: “We are designing our aircraft to the highest safety standards in the world. From a mathematical perspective, it’s a one in a billion failure rate, the same as when you fly commercial on a large passenger jet.” This assurance is echoed by Electric VTOL News, which points to Vertical’s use of distributed electric propulsion—eight propellers and motors—providing redundancy and reliability beyond traditional aviation systems.

The hybrid-electric VX4’s technical specifications include a spacious cabin that accommodates one pilot and four passengers, generous cargo capacity, and a composite fuselage engineered for both strength and weight efficiency. “Plenty of room for you, and your luggage,” states the company’s official site. With a projected cruise speed of 150 mph and advanced fly-by-wire controls, the aircraft is designed for both comfort and operational flexibility.

Vertical’s expansion strategy hinges on the hybrid platform’s ability to unlock new markets. “Once with the announcement of this new longer range aircraft, it really opens up a whole different opportunity here,” Simpson explained. “Both with commercial customers who may want to do long-range, intercity flying, but really importantly, it opens up the defense market. We are the only European player in this sector.”

With 1,000 miles of range, a 1,100 kg payload, and a focus on safety and versatility, Vertical Aerospace’s hybrid-electric VTOL is set to take flight as a cornerstone of the next era in air mobility. As Simpson put it: “Amazing day for us. It is pretty incredible.”

—Military Aerospace, Zag Daily, Electric VTOL News, and company filings contributed to this report.