Aircraft
Ascendance Plans to Fly Hybrid eVTOL Prototype This Year
First full-scale prototype of the hybrid-electric Atea aircraft is “in the production phase”
Ascendance's iron bird
Ascendance has conducted more than 400 ground tests of its Sterna hybrid-electric propulsion system on an “iron bird” test rig. © Ascendance Flight Technologies

As Ascendance prepares to fly the first full-scale prototype of its hybrid-electric Atea eVTOL aircraft this year, it is already laying the groundwork for industrialization and scaled production. The French start-up announced on January 16 an extension of its partnership with Capgemini Engineering that will support the company’s transition from technology demonstrations to commercialization. 

Capgemini Engineering has been helping Ascendance with its product development roadmap since 2021 and has contributed its experience in various disciplines, including systems engineering, flight physics, aircraft controls, power systems, and batteries. Under the extended partnership, Capgemini will further contribute its business and industrialization know-how to help Ascendance scale its production capabilities. 

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