Vertical Aerospace is reporting sustained progress towards the first flight of its VX4 eVTOL prototype through key steps such as the recent delivery and installation of the aircraft electrical wiring interconnection system (EWIS) by program partner GKN Aerospace. The equipment includes the high-voltage interconnection system that runs power from the batteries to electric propulsion units developed for the VX4 by aircraft engines group Rolls-Royce.

The milestone was one of a flurry of announcements made by UK-based Vertical Aerospace during last week’s Farnborough International Airshow. In addition, it signed an agreement with South Korea’s Hanwha Aerospace, which will develop electric mechanical actuators for the four-passenger eVTOL model. Hanwha is also a key backer and partner for U.S-based Overair, which is developing a similar-sized eVTOL called the Butterfly.

The EWIS unit is based on GKN’s extensive experience in producing wiring systems for large airliners and was developed at the group’s facility at Hoogerheide in the Netherlands. The equipment was integrated with the VX4 airframe at GKN’s Global Technology Centre, which is located in Bristol where Vertical Aerospace is headquartered.

During the Farnborough show, Vertical Aerospace also announced a partnership with flight training group CAE. The Montreal-based group will train pilots for eVTOL aircraft at its facilities around the world.