Vertical Aerospace has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with autonomous flight specialist, Near Earth Autonomy, to add advanced self-flying capabilities to its Valo aircraft platform, a significant step in the company’s push into defence and commercial aviation.
The deal outlines plans to integrate autonomous flight technology into Valo’s next-generation aircraft architecture, with the aim of combining Near Earth’s autonomy software with Honeywell Aerospace’s Anthem digital cockpit, already selected for Valo.
Executives of the companies said the approach could simplify integration and shorten the path toward future autonomous flight operations. While Vertical plans to use the partnership to pursue near-term defense programs while laying the groundwork for more automated commercial operations in the future, Near Earth brings more than a decade of experience in autonomous aviation.
The company has developed flight systems for the US Army, the US Marine Corps, and Honeywell Aerospace. Its technology has supported optionally piloted UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters and autonomous flight demonstrations aboard Leonardo’s AW139 helicopter.
That experience gives Vertical access to mature autonomy software instead of developing the capability from scratch.The companies expect the shared technology stack with Honeywell’s cockpit architecture to reduce technical risk as autonomous features expand. Vertical has increasingly positioned Valo as more than an electric aircraft.
Alongside its all-electric tiltrotor, the company is developing a hybrid-electric version capable of flying up to 1,000 miles. It also targets payloads of up to 2400 pounds on shorter missions, giving governments another option for logistics, resupply, and other operational roles.
Vertical says using the same aircraft architecture for commercial and defense customers can reduce development costs and accelerate fielding new capabilities. Vertical chief executive officer, Stuart Simpson said defence had become a strategic priority for the company.
He added that the industry’s focus has shifted beyond proving electric aircraft can fly. Instead, manufacturers now face the challenge of building aircraft platforms that can support several markets. “Valo was designed as a platform from day one.
Combining hybrid-electric propulsion, advanced autonomy and our proprietary battery technology allows us to serve commercial operators, governments and defense customers from a common aircraft architecture,” Simpson said.
He also described Near Earth as one of the most experienced autonomy providers in aviation and said the combined technologies would create a more adaptable aircraft for future missions. Near Earth chief executive officer and co-founder, Sanjiv Singh said autonomous flight has matured through years of demanding military programs.
He believes pairing that expertise with Valo and Honeywell’s open digital cockpit can speed deployment of autonomous capabilities across both commercial and defense markets. Honeywell also views the partnership as validation of Anthem’s modular cockpit architecture.
President and chief executive officer of Electronic Solutions at Honeywell Aerospace, Bob Buddecke said the digital cockpit was designed to support future technologies through an open and expandable framework.
The agreement arrives just before the 2026 Farnborough International Airshow, where aerospace companies often unveil new partnerships and technology programmes.
Vertical has steadily assembled a network of suppliers that includes Honeywell Aerospace, Aciturri, Evolito, Hyundai WIA, Astronics, Syensqo and Isoclima as it develops the Valo platform for both civilian and government customers.
