Rolls-Royce is teaming up with luxury jet and helicopter provider Luxaviation to develop vertiports for the nascent eVTOL sector.
Vertiport. Credit: Luxaviation
Credit: Luxaviation
The two companies have signed a Memorandum of Understanding whereby Rolls-Royce will provide electrification, maintenance support and digital solutions for the Luxembourg-based company's planned vertiport network.
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The development of eVTOL aircraft - also known as Urban Air Mobility or Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) - offers commuters the opportunity for faster connections to traditional airport terminals. It's a market being initially targeted by many eVTOL companies due to the vehicles' limited range as well as the convenience expected by more convenient private aviation passengers.
The agreement was signed by Luxaviation and Rolls-Royce's Electrical and Power Systems divisions and focuses on three main areas: charging and energy infrastructure, maintenance provision and digital solutions.
Andreas Schell, CEO of Rolls-Royce Power Systems said: "Rolls-Royce will offer integrated solutions from a single source across its business units. Power Systems can already supply climate-friendly microgrids that combine renewable energy sources, battery storage and conventional power generation. Soon we will also offer them with fuel cell generators, hydrogen engines and electrolysers. This is another demonstration of how Rolls-Royce is helping make aviation more sustainable."
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Christophe Lapierre, Luxaviation's Head of strategy and President Business Aviation Support Services said: "We are convinced that Rolls-Royce and Luxaviation, two market leaders with a global network, talent, expertise, and vision across the entire value chain will accelerate the deployment of Advanced Air Mobility through this strategic partnership."
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