Aircraft
Vertical Touts VX4 eVTOL Military Missions at UK’s RIAT Air Show
UK company’s eVTOL prototype flew from Cotswold Airport to the Fairford air force base
Vertical Aerospace VX4 eVTOL on approach to the Royal Air Force's Fairford base in the UK.
Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 eVTOL turns to approach the Royal Air Force’s Fairford base in the UK.

Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 eVTOL prototype is appearing at the UK’s Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) as part of the company’s plans to market the aircraft for defense and special missions applications. Its appearance at the July 18 to 20 event follows the company’s recent launch of plans to offer a hybrid-electric version of the aircraft that would have a longer range.

According to the company, the VX4’s flight on July 16 from its test facility at Cotswold Airport to the Royal Air Force’s Fairford base was the world’s first airport-to-airport piloted flight by a “winged tiltrotor eVTOL designed for commercial service.” In May, Vertical achieved its first piloted wingborne flight trials in open airspace.