- Vertical’s VX4 to be reviewed for use in aerial emergency
medical services (EMS) and cargo transportation
- Babcock will lend its expertise as a global aerospace and
defence business with extensive Emergency Medical Services (EMS)
and Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) experience
- Vertical and Babcock to collaborate on development of MRO
capabilities for the VX4
Vertical Aerospace (Vertical) [NYSE: EVTL], a global aerospace
and technology company that is pioneering zero emissions aviation,
today announces a partnership with Babcock International (Babcock)
[LON: BAB], the aerospace, defence and security company to explore
new applications for its VX4 eVTOL aircraft.
The VX4 has proven demand in the passenger transportation
markets from established airline customers including Virgin
Atlantic, aircraft lessors such as Avolon, and helicopter and
tourism operators such as Bristow and Iberojet. With today’s
announcement, Vertical and Babcock will set up a Joint Working
Group (JWG) to explore how to use the VX4 in new applications such
as aerial EMS and cargo transportation. The VX4 has the potential
to transform these types of operations and reduce their carbon
impact at a lower overall cost.
The piloted zero operating emissions four-passenger VX4, is
projected to be capable of travelling distances over 100 miles,
achieving top speeds of over 200mph, while producing minimal noise
and having a low cost per passenger mile.
Babcock has over thirty-five years of experience in EMS,
performing thousands of missions every year globally, and is the
largest single operator delivering helicopter emergency services
(HEMS) in the UK. By reducing the medical response time, Babcock
not only saves lives, but also significantly minimises the
long-term effects of injuries. This will include reviewing how to
use the VX4 in vital services such as attending accidents and
providing emergency transport between hospitals.
The partnership will also see the two companies working on
developing modular MRO capabilities to enable cost effective
maintenance of the aircraft in both remote and challenging
environments. The partnership will also see the two companies
working on the development of modular MRO capabilities to maximise
availability and enable cost effective maintenance of the VX4 in
service. Leveraging Babcock’s experience in the defence industry,
the partnership will also explore how the eVTOL concept may be
expanded in the future to support the armed forces with medium
range logistics delivery and casualty evacuation services.
Stephen Fitzpatrick, Founder & CEO, Vertical
Aerospace, said “Climate change is the greatest challenge of
our time. As with all other areas, the emergency services and
logistics sectors must respond and adapt. I am delighted that
Vertical Aerospace will be able support Babcock, a trusted provider
of emergency response services, in their efforts to decarbonise
their operations.”
Phil Craig, Managing Director of UK Aviation at Babcock,
added: “Partnering with Vertical Aerospace not only enables us to
harness our extensive digital and data expertise across Babcock,
but also our reputation as a trusted MRO provider with a highly
skilled workforce. As a business, we’re committed to reducing our
carbon footprint and this partnership is an exciting step into the
world of electric aircrafts. Exploring VX4’s technological
capabilities allows us to understand how it can be used to deliver
critical care and logistical support in challenging environments
with zero emissions.”
About Vertical Aerospace
Vertical Aerospace is pioneering electric aviation. The company
was founded in 2016 by Stephen Fitzpatrick, an established
entrepreneur best known as the founder of the OVO Group, a leading
energy and technology group and Europe’s largest independent energy
retailer. Over the past five years, Vertical has focused on
building the most experienced and senior team in the eVTOL
industry, who have over 1,700 combined years of engineering
experience, and have certified and supported over 30 different
civil and military aircraft and propulsion systems.
Vertical’s top-tier partner ecosystem is expected to de-risk
operational execution and its pathway to certification allows for a
lean cost structure and enables production at scale. Vertical has a
market-leading pre-order book by value for more than 1,400 aircraft
from global customers creating multiple potential near term and
actionable routes to market. Customers include American Airlines,
Virgin Atlantic, Avolon, Bristow, Marubeni, Iberojet and
FLYINGGROUP, as well as Japan Airlines (JAL), Gol, Air Greenland,
Gozen Holding and AirAsia, through Avolon’s VX4 placements.
Vertical’s ordinary shares and warrants commenced trading on the
NYSE in December 2021 under the tickers “EVTL” and “EVTLW,”
respectively.
About the VX4 eVTOL Aircraft
The piloted zero operating emissions four-passenger VX4, is
projected to be capable of travelling distances over 100 miles,
achieving top speeds of over 200mph, while producing minimal noise
and has a low cost per passenger mile. The VX4 is expected to open
up advanced air mobility to a whole new range of passengers and
transform how we travel. Find out more: vertical-aerospace.com
Vertical Media Kit
Available here
About Babcock
Babcock is an international aerospace, defence and security
company, with a leading naval business, providing value add
services across a range of countries, including the UK, France,
Canada, Australia and South Africa. We help customers in the UK and
around the world to improve the capability, reliability and
availability of their most critical assets.
With over 35 years of experience in aerial emergency medical
services (EMS), the most up-to-date fleet and equipment, the best
qualified personnel, and medical bases in all our countries of
operation, Babcock is trusted by its customers, including national
and regional government bodies and charity organisations, to
deliver these vital services.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward-looking statements within
the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of
1995. Any express or implied statements contained in this press
release that are not statements of historical fact may be deemed to
be forward-looking statements, including, without limitation,
statements regarding the certification and the commercialization of
the VX4 and related timelines, the differential strategy compared
to its peer group, and the transition towards a net-zero emissions
economy, expected financial performance and operational performance
for the fiscal year ending December 31, 2022, as well as statements
that include the words “expect,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,”
“project,” “forecast,” “estimate,” “may,” “should,” “anticipate,”
“will,” “aim,” “potential,” “continue,” “are likely to” and similar
statements of a future or forward-looking nature. Forward-looking
statements are neither promises nor guarantees, but involve known
and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results
to differ materially from those projected, including, without
limitation: Vertical’s limited operating history without
manufactured non-prototype aircraft or completed eVTOL aircraft
customer order; Vertical’s history of losses and the expectation to
incur significant expenses and continuing losses for the
foreseeable future; the market for eVTOL aircraft being in a
relatively early stage; the potential inability of Vertical to
produce or launch aircraft in the volumes and on timelines
projected; the potential inability of Vertical to obtain the
necessary certifications on the timelines projected; any accidents
or incidents involving eVTOL aircraft could harm Vertical’s
business; Vertical’s dependence on partners and suppliers for the
components in its aircraft and for operational needs; the potential
that certain of Vertical’s strategic partnerships may not
materialize into long-term partnership arrangements; pre-orders
Vertical has received for its aircraft are conditional and may be
terminated at any time in writing prior to certain specified dates;
any potential failure by Vertical to effectively manage its growth;
the impact of COVID-19 on Vertical’s business; Vertical has
identified material weaknesses in its internal controls over
financial reporting and may be unable to remediate the material
weaknesses; Vertical’s dependence on our senior management team and
other highly skilled personnel; as a foreign private issuer
Vertical follows certain home country corporate governance rules,
is not subject to U.S. proxy rules and is subject to Exchange Act
reporting obligations that, to some extent, are more lenient and
less frequent than those of a U.S. domestic public company; and the
other important factors discussed under the caption “Risk Factors”
in our Annual Report on Form 20-F filed with the U.S. Securities
and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on April 29, 2022, as such factors
may be updated from time to time in Vertical’s other filings with
the SEC. Any forward-looking statements contained in this press
release speak only as of the date hereof and accordingly undue
reliance should not be placed on such statements. Vertical
disclaims any obligation or undertaking to update or revise any
forward-looking statements contained in this press release, whether
as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other
than to the extent required by applicable law.
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version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20220718005259/en/
Vertical Media Samuel Emden
nepeanverticalteam@nepean.co.uk +44 7816 459 904
Vertical Investors Eduardo Royes
investors@vertical-aerospace.com +1 (646) 200-8871
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