UK-based Vertical Aerospace has selected a 30G energy-absorbing seating system and navigation technology from Northrop Grumman for its Valo electric air taxi as the company moves toward aircraft certification and production.
The Bristol-based aircraft developer announced two long-term supply contracts on October 16. South Korean company ANH Structure will design and manufacture the aircraft’s seats, while Germany-based Northrop Grumman LITEF will supply its LCR-110 inertial reference system.
The seating system will feature technology designed to absorb high impact forces in the event of an impact. Meanwhile, the navigation system provides important flight information, including the aircraft’s orientation, heading and position.
Both systems are intended for Valo, Vertical’s piloted electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, which is being developed to carry four passengers. The agreements specify suppliers’ responsibilities but do not mean that the finished systems have been certified for the aircraft.
Seats designed to withstand impacts
ANH Structure will design, develop, certify and manufacture a common seating platform for Valos pilots, observers and passengers. The seats will feature the company’s proprietary 30G energy absorption technology.
The number 30G refers to an acceleration equal to 30 times Earth’s gravity. Energy-absorbing seats are designed to manage the forces transferred to occupants during a collision, reducing the risk of injury.
However, Vertical has not disclosed crash test results for the finished Valo seating system. The supplier still needs to complete development, testing and certification before the seats go into production.
ANH has design and production organization approvals from the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). These qualifications allow the company to carry out approved aerospace design and manufacturing work, but do not constitute certification of the new seats.
The agreement covers the process from detailed design to industrial production. A common seat architecture could also help Vertical use similar components in different versions of its aircraft.
Navigation supports flight control
Northrop Grumman LITEF, a German subsidiary of the US defense and aerospace company, will supply the LCR-110 inertial reference system.
The system provides information about an aircraft’s attitude, course and position to flight-critical systems. Attitude describes how an aircraft is banked or aligned in flight, while heading indicates the direction in which it is pointing.
Such information is important for an eVTOL aircraft that must handle vertical takeoffs, transitions between flight conditions and conventional forward flight.
According to Vertical, the LCR-110 meets applicable EASA and Federal Aviation Administration technical standards for inertial reference equipment. The existing approvals do not eliminate the need to integrate and certify the system as part of Valo.
The agreements complement Vertical’s supplier network, which includes Honeywell Aerospace, Sonaca, Evolito and Hyundai WIA.
Vertical plans to use a common aircraft platform for four- and six-passenger configurations, as well as electric, hybrid-electric and autonomous variants. These remain part of the development strategy and not a series of certified aircraft.
The company says it has about 1,500 pre-orders from customers on four continents, including American Airlines, Avolon and Japan Airlines. These commitments do not involve completed aircraft deliveries.
The recent agreements secure suppliers for two key aircraft systems, but Vertical still needs to complete development, integration and regulatory certification before Valo can enter commercial service.
