The aviation industry is constantly changing, welcoming new developments and technology rapidly. One field that has had expansive changes and developments in recent years is eVTOL aircraft. As the concept of an eVTOL grows in popularity, so does its support. From automotive companies to the U.S. government, many companies and organizations are showing interest in the growing field of eVTOL.
What are eVTOL
Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft use electric power to hover, takeoff and land vertically. With a growing need for new modes of transportation like urban air mobility, the eVTOL market and expansion have taken off.
The initial concept of an eVTOL appeared in 2009 when a video went viral showing the NASA Puffin eVTOL concept. Many companies have begun developing eVTOL projects and others have started solely to develop an eVTOL and an air taxi service.
Companies like Joby Aviation, ASX, Archer and Eve have been developing and manufacturing eVTOL aircraft and entering a new field of aviation.
Archer’s Midnight
Automotive company Stellantis partners with Archer
Stellantis, an automaker, joins with Archer to manufacture Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft. With brands like Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep in its repertoire, Stellantis is also providing strategic funding for Archer’s growth.
Stellantis will work at Archer’s new manufacturing facility in Covington, Georgia. The companies plan to begin manufacturing the Midnight in 2024. Archer unveiled the midnight in November, a new eVTOL designed to be a safe, sustainable and quiet eVTOL.
The aircraft is designed to carry four passengers and a pilot with an expected payload of over 1,000 pounds. It has a range of 100 miles and is optimized for back-to-back short-distance trips of about 20 miles, with a ten-minute charging time in between.
RELATED STORIES:
WATCH: Archer’s Maker completes first full wing-borne flight
Archer unveils new eVTOL aircraft Midnight at open house
With Archer’s team of eVTOL, electric powertrain and certification experts and the contribution of advanced manufacturing technology and experience from Stellantis, Midnight will be brought to the market. Stellantis plans to be the exclusive manufacturer producing Archer’s eVTOL aircraft.
As a part of its strategic funding plan, Stellantis will give up to $150 million in equity capital for the potential draw by Archer in 2023 and 2024. This funding is subject to certain business achievements Archer expects in 2023. The company will also increase strategic shareholding with the purchase of Archer stock in the open market. These plans paired with other elements of the partnership will allow Stellantis to become a large and integral investor in Archer.
RELATED STORY:
Amazon Prime Air begins drone deliveries
“We’ve been working closely with Archer for the past two years, and I am continually impressed by their ingenuity and unwavering commitment to deliver,” Stellantis CEO Carlos Tavares said. “Deepening our partnership with Archer as a strategic investor with plans for growing our shareholding demonstrates how Stellantis is pushing the boundaries to provide sustainable freedom of mobility, from the road to the sky. Supporting Archer with our manufacturing expertise is another example of how Stellantis will lead the way the world moves.”
.jpg?w=800)
Archer’s manufacturing facility in Covington, Georgia
Stellantis has been involved with Archer since 2020 with different initiatives and an investor since 2021. Archer has used the manufacturing, supply chain and design capability of Stellantis to aid in the design and development of its eVTOL aircraft.
“Stellantis’ continued recognition of Archer’s progress toward commercialization, and today’s commitment of significant resources to build the Midnight aircraft with us, places Archer in a strong position to be first to market,” founder and CEO of Archer Adam Goldstein said.
Archer continues to develop eVTOL aircraft, completing a full transition to a full wing-borne flight in late November with the Maker.
Mail Management Services orders eVTOLs for its fleet
Airspace Experience Technologies (ASX), a company that evolved out of Detroit Aircraft Corporation (DAC), has built over 55 eVTOL aircraft for defense and emergency response sectors.
The latest partnership is with Mail Management Services (MMS) out of Lincoln, Nebraska. The announcement that MMS partnering with ASX to supply eVTOLs to its fleet in 2025 was made at CES in Las Vegas on Friday.
MMS partnered with ASX to deploy eVTOL aircraft to transport USPS payloads. The electric model from ASX can move up to 1000 pounds over 150 miles and 2000 pounds over 75 miles. The Sigma-6 is ASX’s hybrid aircraft and can transport 1000 pounds 760 miles and 2000 pounds 380 miles.
MMS will begin infrastructure projects and fleet electrification in 2023, at facilities in Nebraska, Texas, Wisconsin, Missouri, Michigan and Colorado. This year, electric delivery vehicles will be introduced into service. Plans to add to the fleet are through 2025.
The ASX Sigma-6 eVTOL vehicle is a flexible model that can minimize failure modes while reducing development and manufacturing costs. The ASX design is the only multi-modal vehicle being developed. These unique eVTOL were a prominent display at the 2022 North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Michigan.
ASX Sigma-6
“Traffic congestion is an inefficient use of time, fuel and resources for our customers,” COO of MMS John Pool said. “By elevating our vehicles above the roadways, we will dramatically enhance performance and reduce carbon emissions.”
Applications of this eVTOL include cargo logistics, carrying people, defense and first response, but could potentially expand to more uses.
“We built the Sigma-6 to elevate and diffuse traffic for all uses – passenger, cargo and emergency management,” ASX CEO and founder Jon Rimanelli said.
Other recent developments for eVTOL aircraft
On top of the growing support outside of the eVTOL field and market, many companies are continually expanding on innovative designs and applications for these unique aircraft.
In May, Joby Aviation received a Part 135 Air Carrier Certificate from the FAA, which allowed the company to begin operations. In November, the FAA asked for public comments on the proposed airworthiness criteria for the Joby Aero model JAS4-1 powered lift.
AIR unveiled a full-scale eVTOL prototype at the Kentucky Derby in May 2022 and had the successful first forward flight of the AIR ONE on Dec. 18, 2022. This test flight was the culmination of thousands of flight hours planned for the aircraft for its FAA certification process.
AIR ONE
At the end of 2022, Eve announced that Brazil’s National Development Bank approved a $92.5 million line of credit to support the eVTOL development program. BNDES approved two distinct lines of credit totaling $92.5 million.
On Thursday at CES, ASKA unveiled a fully-functional prototype of the ASKA A5 eVTOL. The prototype is the size of an SUV and is the world’s first four-seater electric that can not only travel by road but up to 250 miles by air with a single charge.
ASKA A5 eVTOL
The ASKA eVTOL utilizes in-wheel motor technology and allows for four wheels to be placed outside the fuselage for all-wheel-drive traction while in drive mode and in-flight wings with six rotors unfold and allow the vehicle to take off vertically or on a runway.
Support in eVTOL development
Outside support for the eVTOL market is growing. Stellantis and MMS join the US Department of Defense, United Airlines, Raytheon Technologies and Delta Airlines as investors and believers in eVTOL companies.
Joby Aviation saw a partnership with the U.S. Department of Defense in August 2022, increasing its potential value by over $45 million. The full potential of the contract was more than $75 million. This included new testing for Joby’s technology. In October, Joby Aviation partnered with Delta Airlines with an upfront equity investment of $60 million and total investments of up to $200 million. This partnership was meant to develop an opportunity for short-range journeys to and from city airports when booking with Delta.
Joby Model JAS4-1
Raytheon Technologies led a $12 million funding round for VerdeGo Aero, an eVTOL company that focuses on providing hybrid propulsion solutions for electronically-powered aircraft like eVTOLs and eSTOLs.
Eve also had approval from the Brazil National Development Bank for a $92.5 million line of credit to support the eVTOL development program.
The latest developments for the eVTOL market and support from outside are indicative that unique aircraft like eVTOLs are the next frontier in aviation.
Contact
Name: Haley Davoren
, Digital Content Manager
Company: GlobalAir.com
Website: https://globalair.com
Email: [email protected]
Phone: 502-456-3934
©2023 GlobalAir.com, Haley Davoren. All rights reserved.
Recent Comments