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Leeham News • Bjorn Fehrm, Leehamcoeu

Why electric-hybrid concepts fall short operationally

Leeham News concludes in Part 8 of its alternative-propulsion series that electric-hybrid aircraft concepts — across eVTOL, regional and demonstrator programmes — fail to meet operational requirements because weight, energy-density and integration penalties make them operationally unacceptable.

2026-03-19T01:34:03.402724-07:00

eVTOL Insights

Vertical Aerospace launches battery pilot production at 15,000 sq ft Vertical Energy Centre

2026-03-18T04:29:52.010923-07:00

eVTOL Insights

Open Skies Network and ASONE Park to build UK’s first DronePort and AAM test hub at St Merryn Aerodrome

2026-03-17T05:54:49.532574-07:00

AINonline

Wisk unveils Boeing-backed Gen 6 autonomous eVTOL; White House taps Wisk and Texas to lead safe rollout

2026-03-17T09:25:57.713305-07:00

Hype Analysis

September 2024 eVTOL Industry Developments: A Comprehensive Report

October 1, 2024 - A summary of major events, strategic partnerships and technological advancements in the eVTOL market. Read More.

News Timeline

Leeham News

Why electric-hybrid concepts fall short operationally Leeham News concludes in Part 8 of its alternative-propulsion series that electric-hybrid aircraft concepts — across eVTOL, regional and demonstrator programmes — fail to meet operational requirements because weight, energy-density and integration penalties make them operationally unacceptable.

2026-03-19T01:34:03.402724-07:00

Why electric-hybrid concepts fall short operationally

eVTOL Insights

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Vertical Aerospace launches battery pilot production at 15,000 sq ft Vertical Energy Centre Vertical Aerospace said its battery pilot production line is now operational at the 15,000 sq ft Vertical Energy Centre, producing battery systems for its Valo eVTOL. The pilot line will supply certification aircraft and is intended to be scaled up to volume production starting in 2028.

2026-03-18T04:29:52.010923-07:00

Vertical Aerospace launches battery pilot production at 15,000 sq ft Vertical Energy Centre

AINonline

Wisk unveils Boeing-backed Gen 6 autonomous eVTOL; White House taps Wisk and Texas to lead safe rollout Wisk, backed by Boeing, rolled out its Gen 6 autonomous eVTOL and is targeting a first transition flight later this year. The White House also selected Wisk and Texas to lead federal efforts to safely introduce autonomous air taxi operations.

2026-03-17T09:25:57.713305-07:00

Wisk unveils Boeing-backed Gen 6 autonomous eVTOL; White House taps Wisk and Texas to lead safe rollout

Vertical Mag

Metro Aviation outlines expansion, new air‑medical completions and tech roadmap at Verticon 2026 At Verticon 2026 Metro Aviation outlined operational expansion, completion and delivery of new air‑medical aircraft, and a pipeline of emerging technologies — from digital mission systems to autonomy demonstrations. The update frames Metro's fleet and services growth as part of a broader modernization of air‑medical operations.

2026-03-17T08:47:14.057923-07:00

Metro Aviation outlines expansion, new air‑medical completions and tech roadmap at Verticon 2026

eVTOL Insights

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Open Skies Network and ASONE Park to build UK’s first DronePort and AAM test hub at St Merryn Aerodrome Open Skies Network and ASONE Park have partnered to develop the UK’s first DronePort and aviation campus at St Merryn Aerodrome in north Cornwall. The scheme will integrate the airfield into the Open Skies Network as a test‑flight hub for eVTOL/eSTOL and other new aviation technologies.

2026-03-17T05:54:49.532574-07:00

Open Skies Network and ASONE Park to build UK’s first DronePort and AAM test hub at St Merryn Aerodrome

FlightGlobal

Eve Air Mobility secures financing through 2028 as eVTOL flight‑test campaign intensifies Eve Air Mobility says it has secured financing sufficient to fund operations through 2028 as R&D spending jumped 50% year‑on‑year. The increase reflects an intensive flight‑test campaign of its electric air taxi prototype that began in December and has escalated testing activity.

2026-03-16T15:59:46.766501-07:00

Eve Air Mobility secures financing through 2028 as eVTOL flight‑test campaign intensifies

Reuters

AeroVironment acquires Empirical Systems Aerospace for ~$200M to expand UAS, loitering‑munitions and AAM production AeroVironment will buy Empirical Systems Aerospace (ESAero) in a cash‑and‑stock deal valued at about $200 million. The acquisition brings ESAero’s unmanned aircraft systems, loitering munitions and advanced air‑mobility platforms into AV to expand tactical production capacity and boost EBITDA.

2026-03-16T13:25:02.896733-07:00

AeroVironment acquires Empirical Systems Aerospace for ~$200M to expand UAS, loitering‑munitions and AAM production

The Air Current

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Why Joby, Archer and Beta’s FAA certification is taking so long Joby, Archer and Beta are locked in an extended FAA certification slog as regulators and manufacturers reconcile novel eVTOL designs with legacy certification frameworks. The mismatch between new technology and longstanding bureaucracy is elongating approval timelines, forcing developers to grind through complex means‑of‑compliance work before commercial operations.

2026-03-16T11:19:05.554857-07:00

Why Joby, Archer and Beta’s FAA certification is taking so long

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eVTOL News

Why electric-hybrid concepts fall short operationally

Vertical Aerospace launches battery pilot production at 15,000 sq ft Vertical Energy Centre

Open Skies Network and ASONE Park to build UK’s first DronePort and AAM test hub at St Merryn Aerodrome

Wisk unveils Boeing-backed Gen 6 autonomous eVTOL; White House taps Wisk and Texas to lead safe rollout

Hype Analysis

September 2024 eVTOL Industry Developments: A Comprehensive Report

News Timeline