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Urban air mobility

Composites to transform urban air mobility

The Urban Air Mobility market (UAM) is set to transform the way we travel and move goods - creating a new era of sustainable transportation.

The sector is moving at pace both globally and in the UK - but innovators maintain a steadfast focus on the high safety standards aviation demands.

It’s a huge engineering challenge and one where composites and the NCC is playing a critical role.

Electric air taxis

Pioneering companies are designing and manufacturing electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) vehicles that will safely, quietly, and with zero emissions transport people between cities.

From medical supplies and industrial components to retail deliveries, companies are creating fleets of electric, emission-free drones capable of carrying goods to where they're needed, faster and more efficiently.

Delivery drones

From medical supplies and industrial components to retail deliveries, companies are creating fleets of electric, emission-free drones capable of carrying goods to where they're needed, faster and more efficiently.

NCC: Supporting UAM composite innovation

Design

The NCC can support with design concepting and detailed product development studies to assess alternative approaches for composite UAM components, based on cost, rate, performance and reliability targets.

Propulsion

UAMs are powered by electric powertrains that drive a series of rotor blades. These blades are often unique in design, needing to be super lightweight but strong and durable to withstand bird strike. Composites meet these demands and deliver the design flexibility companies require. The NCC can support companies looking to develop and manufacture their composite blade designs, working with the supply chain to secure new opportunities to manufacture cost-effectively in the UK.

Aerostructures

Lightweight but durable composites are critical to eVTOL airframe structures. The NCC can support UAM ambitions with whole aircraft assessment for dynamic landing scenarios to ensure this new class of vehicle meets the required safety standards.

 

Vertical Aerospace

Read more about Vertical Aerospace

Vertical Aerospace

Vertical Aerospace is a UK pioneer in a growing urban air mobility (UAM) market, estimated to be worth $1Tn by 2040. Its Electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft, the VX4, is designed to transport a pilot and up to four passengers, over 100 miles, at a top speed of over 200mph, while producing minimal noise and zero in-transit emissions. To realise this goal, the company has assembled a team of over 250 engineers and a world-class ecosystem of engineering expertise including the National Composites Centre.

Read the case study

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