FutureFlight
Rolls-Royce to Provide Propulsion for Vertical's Improved VA-X4 eVTOL
The renamed model is expected to have increased range of 120 miles and faster speed of over 200 mph.
Vertical Aerospace VA-X4
Vertical Aerospace has redesignated its new all-electric eVTOL aircraft as the VA-X4 to reference its capacity to carry four passengers. (Image: Vertical Aerospace)

Rolls-Royce is developing the electric propulsion system for Vertical Aerospace’s VA-X4 eVTOL aircraft. The aero engines group today announced that its Rolls-Royce Electrical division will design the system, which will incorporate 100 kW-class lift and push propulsion units, as well as power distribution and monitoring systems to support operations.

Vertical Aerospace has renamed what was announced last year as the VA-1X as the VA-X4 to reference its ability to carry four passengers. The company now projects increased range and speed of 120 miles and 200 mph—an improvement on the earlier projections of 100 miles and 150 mph. The all-electric design features four sets of coaxial rotors on booms protruding from the rear of the fixed-wing and four sets of five-bladed tilting propellers on the front of the wing.