Vertical Aerospace will lead the ECLiPSE programme, a UK Government-backed initiative to develop high-power charging and thermal management technology for electric aircraft, announced on 24 July 2026. The programme represents approximately £3.4 million (US$4.5 million) in total investment, of which up to £1.75 million (US$2.3 million) comes from government.

Led by Vertical Aerospace with the University of Bath and InnCat Ltd., ECLiPSE will develop charging and liquid-cooling technologies to cut infrastructure costs and enable faster aircraft turnaround. The funding forms part of a UK Government £43 million (US$57.2 million) package for aviation technology.

The ECLiPSE technologies aim to improve charging performance while reducing system size, installation complexity and long-term operating costs. Vertical is also in advanced discussions on a further UK Government grant of up to £10 million (US$13.3 million) to anchor its first full-production site in the UK.

Stuart Simpson, Chief Executive of Vertical Aerospace, said ECLiPSE would make electric flight commercially viable by building the charging infrastructure commercial operations require. Heidi Alexander, Secretary of State for Transport, said the UK was working with industry to cut emissions and develop the aircraft of tomorrow. The programme extends Vertical’s capabilities into charging infrastructure, which is critical to making electric aviation commercially viable at scale.

Source: Vertical