Vertical Aerospace Expands Supplier Network for Valo Program
Vertical Aerospace has announced a strategic long-term agreement with Astronics Corporation that will see the aerospace technology specialist become the supplier of low-voltage power distribution systems for the company’s next-generation Valo electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
The partnership represents another milestone in Vertical Aerospace’s effort to build a comprehensive supply ecosystem capable of supporting certification, manufacturing scale-up, and eventual commercial deployment of electric aircraft designed for the emerging advanced air mobility industry.
Under the agreement, Astronics will deliver the low-voltage electrical architecture responsible for distributing and regulating power to numerous mission-critical systems onboard the Valo aircraft.
The arrangement strengthens Vertical’s growing network of aerospace suppliers and reinforces the company’s commitment to leveraging established aviation expertise while pursuing innovation in electric flight.
Role of Low-Voltage Systems in eVTOL Aircraft
Electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft depend on highly sophisticated electrical systems.
Unlike conventional aircraft powered primarily through combustion engines, eVTOL vehicles require integrated electrical architectures capable of safely managing significant amounts of energy.
Within the Valo platform, Astronics will supply hardware designed to convert high-voltage energy generated by the aircraft’s propulsion architecture into usable low-voltage power.
This energy is essential for operating:
- Flight control systems
- Navigation equipment
- Avionics
- Sensors
- Communication systems
- Passenger services
- Monitoring technologies
- Safety mechanisms
Reliable power distribution remains one of the most important engineering requirements for electric aircraft.
Failure in electrical distribution systems can impact multiple aircraft functions simultaneously, making redundancy, fault protection, and certification standards particularly important.
Astronics’ technology has been specifically developed to meet these challenges.
CorePower System Designed for Electric Aviation
Astronics plans to deploy its CorePower® electrical architecture for the Valo aircraft.
The system was created specifically for electric aviation applications and combines high-voltage conversion capabilities with low-voltage distribution functionality.
According to Astronics, the platform was engineered from inception to satisfy stringent aerospace certification requirements.
The technology delivers several important advantages.
These include:
| CorePower Features | Benefits |
|---|---|
| High-voltage conversion | Efficient energy management |
| Low-voltage distribution | Reliable delivery to aircraft systems |
| Compact design | Reduced weight |
| Integrated protection | Improved fault tolerance |
| Aerospace certification focus | Lower development risk |
| Modular architecture | Easier integration |
| Lightweight construction | Enhanced aircraft efficiency |
The system provides power to several essential subsystems, including:
- Flight management systems
- Cockpit displays
- Navigation equipment
- Communications technology
- Control actuators
- Sensor arrays
- Monitoring devices
Astronics executives believe these capabilities can help reduce overall integration complexity while supporting the certification pathway for emerging aircraft manufacturers.
Existing Collaboration Extends into Production Phase
Astronics is not a new partner for Vertical Aerospace.
The company has already supported Vertical throughout prototype development efforts.
Its electrical systems are currently integrated within Vertical’s piloted flight-test aircraft.
This previous collaboration has provided valuable operational data and engineering experience that can now be leveraged as the Valo program progresses toward commercial readiness.
Working with suppliers that have already participated in prototype development offers several advantages.
These include:
- Reduced integration risk
- Existing technical knowledge
- Faster validation processes
- Better alignment between engineering teams
- Improved supply chain continuity
- Enhanced reliability testing
Vertical Aerospace appears to be pursuing a strategy focused on supplier consistency as it moves toward production.
By maintaining relationships with companies that have already demonstrated performance during testing activities, the organization may be able to accelerate development timelines.
Building a World-Class Supplier Ecosystem
Vertical Aerospace has consistently emphasized the importance of partnerships.
Developing an entirely new category of aircraft involves significant engineering complexity.
As a result, the company has assembled a network of established aerospace organizations to support critical subsystems.
Astronics joins a growing roster of suppliers associated with the Valo platform.
Current partners include:
| Supplier | Contribution |
|---|---|
| Honeywell | Flight control and aircraft management systems |
| Aciturri | Airframe structures |
| Evolito | Electric propulsion units |
| Hyundai WIA | Landing gear systems |
| Syensqo | Composite materials |
| Isoclima | Aircraft transparencies |
| Astronics | Low-voltage power distribution |
This diversified supplier base allows Vertical to leverage decades of aerospace experience from companies that already understand certification requirements, manufacturing processes, and safety standards.
Vertical Aerospace Chief Executive Officer Stuart Simpson highlighted the importance of supplier relationships in achieving certification objectives.
According to Simpson, building an aircraft suitable for commercial deployment requires not only innovative technology but also a dependable supply network composed of experienced aerospace organizations.
Advancing Toward Critical Design Review
The announcement comes as Vertical Aerospace moves closer to one of the most important milestones in aircraft development.
The company is progressing toward Critical Design Review, commonly referred to as CDR.
Critical Design Review establishes the final certifiable design baseline for an aircraft program.
This stage confirms that engineering decisions are sufficiently mature to support manufacturing activities, certification testing, and regulatory review.
Achieving CDR generally indicates that:
- Design maturity is significantly advanced
- Key systems are validated
- Suppliers are aligned
- Manufacturing plans are progressing
- Certification documentation is being finalized
For emerging eVTOL manufacturers, reaching Critical Design Review represents a major achievement.
It demonstrates confidence in the underlying engineering architecture and helps reduce uncertainty surrounding future development phases.
Following CDR completion, Vertical plans to move toward certification-conforming aircraft production and testing activities.
Certification Challenges in Electric Aviation
Certification remains one of the most significant hurdles facing the electric aviation sector.
Unlike traditional aircraft programs, regulators are still establishing frameworks for certifying many advanced air mobility technologies.
Electric propulsion introduces unique engineering considerations.
Regulatory authorities must assess:
- Battery safety
- Thermal management
- Electrical redundancy
- Software reliability
- Energy storage performance
- Emergency procedures
- Flight control systems
- Environmental impacts
Consequently, supplier selection becomes critically important.
Companies that already possess extensive aerospace certification experience can help manufacturers navigate complex approval pathways.
Astronics has decades of experience supporting aviation programs, making it a valuable contributor to Vertical’s certification strategy.
Its products are already used extensively across aerospace, defense, and mission-critical applications.
Valo Aircraft Positioned for Emerging Mobility Market
Valo represents Vertical Aerospace’s flagship electric aircraft platform.
The vehicle has been designed as a piloted, four-passenger eVTOL aircraft intended to provide a cleaner alternative to conventional urban transportation.
The aircraft offers several anticipated benefits.
These include:
- Zero operational emissions
- Lower noise levels
- Reduced congestion
- Improved urban connectivity
- Enhanced transportation flexibility
Vertical is also developing a hybrid-electric version of the aircraft.
The hybrid variant is expected to offer:
- Extended operational range
- Increased mission flexibility
- Greater deployment opportunities
- Support for regional mobility markets
Management believes these capabilities will enable the aircraft to serve diverse transportation requirements.
Potential applications may include:
- Urban air mobility
- Airport transfers
- regional transportation
- business travel
- tourism
- emergency response missions
Demand Signals Continue to Build
Vertical Aerospace has already secured approximately 1,500 pre-orders for the Valo aircraft.
Customers span multiple geographic regions and industries.
Notable customers include:
- American Airlines
- Avolon
- Bristow
- GOL
- Japan Airlines
These agreements indicate growing interest in electric aviation solutions among airlines, leasing companies, and transportation operators.
While many orders remain subject to future conditions and third-party arrangements, they provide important indicators regarding market appetite for advanced air mobility platforms.
Investors continue to monitor these commitments closely because pre-orders can serve as early validation of commercial demand.
Astronics Expands Presence in eVTOL Sector
The agreement also highlights Astronics’ ambitions within the emerging electric aviation market.
The company has spent decades developing electrical technologies used across aerospace industries.
Its expertise spans:
- Electrical power systems
- Connectivity solutions
- Cabin technologies
- testing equipment
- lighting systems
- structures
- avionics support technologies
By participating in eVTOL programs, Astronics gains exposure to one of aviation’s fastest-growing segments.
Industry analysts expect demand for electric aircraft technologies to increase substantially over the next decade as manufacturers move from development toward commercialization.
Astronics executives believe CorePower offers an attractive solution because it addresses both performance requirements and certification challenges.
The platform’s emphasis on compact design, weight reduction, and integrated fault protection aligns closely with evolving industry priorities.
Competitive Positioning for Vertical Aerospace
Competition within the advanced air mobility industry remains intense.
Numerous companies are pursuing certification and commercialization opportunities.
Success will likely depend on several factors.
These include:
| Success Factors | Strategic Importance |
|---|---|
| Certification execution | Critical |
| Supplier partnerships | High |
| Manufacturing readiness | High |
| Capital availability | High |
| Technological reliability | Critical |
| Regulatory engagement | Essential |
| Customer adoption | Significant |
| Operational scalability | Important |
Vertical Aerospace appears focused on strengthening its position through strategic collaborations with established aerospace suppliers.
This approach may help reduce technical risk while improving confidence among regulators, investors, and prospective operators.
Supporting Long-Term Commercial Production
Beyond certification, supplier agreements are essential for production scalability.
Electric aircraft programs require dependable manufacturing ecosystems capable of supporting future demand growth.
Astronics’ involvement provides Vertical with:
- Established manufacturing expertise
- Aerospace-grade quality systems
- Supply chain continuity
- Long-term production capabilities
- Proven engineering support
These elements become increasingly important as aircraft developers transition from prototype programs into serial manufacturing operations.
The agreement therefore extends beyond component procurement.
It represents a broader commitment to supporting the commercialization journey for Valo.
Looking Ahead
Vertical Aerospace continues to position itself as a participant in the rapidly evolving advanced air mobility sector.
Its partnership with Astronics demonstrates the importance of combining innovative aircraft concepts with experienced aerospace suppliers.
As the Valo program advances toward Critical Design Review, certification testing, and eventual market entry, reliable electrical infrastructure will remain a foundational requirement.
Low-voltage power systems may not attract the same attention as propulsion technologies or battery innovations, but they are central to aircraft safety, reliability, and operational performance.
Through its collaboration with Astronics, Vertical Aerospace aims to strengthen one of the most important elements of its aircraft architecture while continuing to build a supplier ecosystem capable of supporting future commercial deployment.
With approximately 1,500 pre-orders already secured, an expanding supplier base, and continued progress toward certification, Vertical Aerospace is seeking to establish itself as a significant player in the next generation of sustainable aviation solutions.
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