Aerospace Wales and Welsh Government have been working closely with SAMAD Aerospace Limited, a UK based company that is developing a range of vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) electric powered business aircraft for civil aviation use.
This latest wing design with hybrid-electric propulsion systems including standard pre-certified Pratt and Witney gas turbine engine charging 4 x electric fans for liftoff, two fixed in the wing and two tilt-rotor designs with a fifth thruster in the tail is the most convincing design I have seen so far.
There are 130 such VTOL projects currently in design globally up from 80 just last year. This technology and idea will come to market possibly within the next 5 years with serial production within 10 years. Hydrogen fuel technology will also be a future option depending upon the ease of navigating regulations. People want to save time and having systems and experiences which can deliver value will drive this market to reality.
Pilots currently under CAA regulations would need helicopter licenses to fly these vehicles unless there is an autonomous point to point driverless mode or a remote pilot delivery option. We wish SAMAD energy and luck with the delivery of the 50% next phase scaled design and hope it’s possible to support the production in Wales through the strong, experienced, knowledgeable, good value existing supply chain. £250million of funding is estimated for full prototype
← Return to News
