Vertical Aerospace, Honeywell Advance VX4 Certification
Vertical Aerospace and Honeywell have expanded their long-standing partnership with a landmark agreement valued at up to $1 billion over the next decade to accelerate certification of the VX4 electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft. Announced on May 9, 2025, the deal marks a new phase in development by focusing on two critical systems required for the VX4’s production model. Honeywell will supply and certify the aircraft management system that powers its Anthem flight deck, while also delivering its compact fly-by-wire flight controls system for the eVTOL.
The Honeywell Anthem flight deck integrates cockpit displays, software, controls and connectivity into a unified digital platform designed to simplify pilot interaction and automate routine tasks. By combining intuitive touchscreen displays with advanced data links, the system reduces pilot workload and enhances situational awareness during all phases of flight. Honeywell’s fly-by-wire controls replace traditional mechanical linkages with electronic interfaces that translate pilot inputs into precise control surface movements, further improving stability and safety in the challenging urban air mobility environment.
“As we accelerate toward global certification and scalable production, Honeywell’s aerospace expertise and proven track record in flight-critical systems make it the ideal partner for this next phase,” said Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace. “By integrating production-ready technologies, we’re helping build an aircraft that meets the highest safety standards in aviation, solidifying its certifiability and exportability across global markets.” Under the new agreement, engineers from both companies will share resources, personnel and testing infrastructure to streamline validation and certification processes, reducing development timelines.
Vertical Aerospace has collaborated with Honeywell for six years, and the engine maker has held an investment stake since 2021 to support flight systems integration. VX4 prototypes already feature Honeywell avionics in two separate flight test campaigns, demonstrating the reliability and performance of the integrated systems in real-world conditions. Data gathered from those tests will inform certification efforts and guide refinements in software logic, control laws and human-machine interfaces.
“We have long believed in the importance of advanced air mobility and the significant potential we can unlock by harnessing our deep expertise in integrated avionics and flight controls in new and exciting ways,” said David Shilliday, vice president and general manager of Advanced Air Mobility at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. “With a shared commitment to innovation, reliability and safety, we’re excited to deepen our partnership with Vertical to help scale the technology necessary to bring even more advanced, efficient, safe and reliable solutions to the skies.”
As part of the expanded collaboration, Vertical Aerospace has selected Honeywell’s newly designed inceptor hand controllers for its production aircraft. These lightweight, compact devices allow pilots to maneuver the VX4 by sending precise inputs to the flight control computer. “We designed our inceptor to be the lightest and most compact in the industry, and we could not be happier that Vertical is the launch customer for this new technology,” said Rich DeGraff, president of Control Systems at Honeywell Aerospace Technologies. “Our inceptor will pair seamlessly with the Honeywell Compact Fly-by-Wire system already selected by Vertical, and we’re excited to work together to integrate these advanced flight technologies into the VX4.”
Vertical Aerospace aims to secure full certification for the VX4 in 2028, paving the way for entry into service and series production. The company plans to deliver at least 150 aircraft to customers by 2030, offering on-demand, zero-emission urban air mobility solutions. With Honeywell’s critical systems onboard and a joint development approach, the VX4 project is positioned to meet stringent global regulatory requirements while advancing the safety and performance of electric VTOL aircraft.
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