VX4’s flight testing programme accelerated with industry-leading virtual twin technology

Vertical is leading the change in urban air mobility (UAM) by introducing a safer, quieter and cleaner way for people to travel around cities and regions. Vertical aims to commence commercial flights of its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the VX4, by 2025. 

Vertical Aerospace will explore leveraging the full power of virtual twin technologies enabled by the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to prepare for flight testing in 2022 and flight certification in 2025. 
 
Dassault Systèmes will be supporting this journey to the first flight in several ways, including:
 
Enabling model-based certification – Key to Vertical being successful in the urban air mobility market is to achieve type certification of its new aircraft. To enable continued optimisation of its aircraft design and to accelerate its route to certification, Vertical Aerospace will look to adopt a new way of working called Model Based Certification. This revolutionary approach will maximise the use of the virtual twin technologies on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to synergise virtual and physical testing, while maintaining the high level of governance required by certification authorities.
 
Virtual first manufacturing process – While Vertical is already leveraging Dassault Systèmes’ virtual twin technology to support the design of its aircraft, both companies will now look to support future manufacturing operations by creating virtual twins of industrial systems, enabling a more effective and sustainable way to prepare for production ramp-up at scale, ensuring right-first-time and on-time delivery to current and future customers.
 
“We’re pleased to build on our partnership with Dassault Systèmes by exploring new ways to innovate across our certification and manufacturing processes,” says Michael Cervenka, President at Vertical Aerospace. 

“The 3DEXPERIENCE platform will greatly support all phases of the product lifecycle, which is fundamental to our goal of revolutionising the way we travel in a more sustainable world.” 
 
“Vertical Aerospace has grown significantly since we first started working together in 2018,” says John Kitchingman, Managing Director, EuroNorth, Dassault Systèmes. 

“It is now a global player and this milestone will set the standard for the development of eVTOLs and their deployment, as part of a greener, urban air mobility strategy. This exciting partnership is a clear match for our 3DEXPERIENCE platform’s capabilities, which will be leveraged as quickly and effectively as possible across Vertical Aerospace’s business.”
 
The VX4 will be operated by Vertical’s broad customer base, including major airlines, helicopter operators, tourism groups and business aviation.