Vertical Aerospace (NYSE: EVTL) has selected U.S.-based aerospace electronics manufacturer Astronics Corporation (NASDAQ: ATRO) to provide the low-voltage electrical power distribution system for its next-generation Valo eVTOL aircraft, strengthening the supplier network behind the company’s certification programme.
While propulsion systems often attract most of the attention from the press, investors, and the advanced air mobility (AAM) community, low-voltage power distribution is equally critical to an electric aircraft. The system is responsible for delivering power to avionics, flight controls, navigation equipment, lighting, communications, and other onboard systems, while protecting the aircraft’s electrical architecture from faults. As eVTOL designs become increasingly dependent on electrically powered systems, reliable power management is an essential part of the certification process.
Astronics will supply its CorePower® electrical power distribution technology, which converts high-voltage energy from the aircraft’s propulsion batteries into the lower-voltage power required by the aircraft’s systems. The company has already supported Vertical’s VX4 prototype flight-test programme, making this latest agreement a natural progression from prototype development to production-ready hardware.
The announcement is another example of Vertical’s strategy of partnering with established aerospace suppliers as it advances the Valo programme. Over the past year, the company has assembled a supplier base that includes Honeywell, Aciturri, Evolito, Hyundai WIA, Syensqo, and Isoclima, each responsible for key aircraft systems.
Supplier selection has become an increasingly important measure of maturity across the eVTOL industry. Rather than developing every subsystem in-house, manufacturers are increasingly turning to experienced aerospace companies with established certification track records. The approach reduces technical risk and can help streamline certification by leveraging proven technologies wherever possible.
For Vertical, the Astronics agreement comes as the company continues work toward Critical Design Review (CDR), one of the final engineering milestones before certification-conforming aircraft enter production and flight testing.
Although the announcement focuses on a single subsystem, it represents another important piece falling into place as the Valo programme matures. As certification efforts accelerate across the industry, supplier announcements like this are becoming less about individual components and more about demonstrating that an aircraft programme is steadily transitioning from development to industrialisation.
- Headquartered in Bristol, England 🇬🇧
- NYSE: EVTL
- Established in 2016
- Founded by Stephen Fitzpatrick (founder of Ovo Energy and former owner of F1 Manor Racing team)
- CEO: Stuart Simpson
- Former Chairman: Dómhnal Slattery
- Manufacturer of Valo all-electric eVTOL
- Plans for future hybrid-electric powered eVTOL capable of 1,000 mile range
“Building a certifiable aircraft requires not only breakthrough technology, but also a world-class supplier ecosystem. Astronics brings deep expertise in aircraft electrical power systems and has already demonstrated its capabilities through our flight test programme. This agreement is another important step as we mature Valo’s design, strengthen our supply chain and advance toward certification and commercial production.” – Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace
“Astronics is proud to be working with Vertical Aerospace as the supplier of their power distribution system for the Valo aircraft. Our CorePower® system is purpose-built for eVTOL applications, combining high-voltage power conversion with low-voltage power distribution delivering reliable, fault-protected power to flight-critical systems including avionics, flight controls, and navigation. CorePower was designed from the ground up to meet aerospace certification standards, giving our customers a lightweight, compact solution that reduces integration risk and supports their path to type certification. We look forward to continuing our close collaboration with the Vertical team through CDR and Valo’s entry into service.” – Jon Neal, President of Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems
Astronics Corporation
- Headquartered in East Aurora, NY, USA
- NASDAQ: ATRO
- Founded on December 5, 1968
- Chairman, President and CEO: Peter J. Gundermann
- Products:
- Power Systems
- Connectivity & Data
- Lighting
- Test Solutions
- Safety Systems
- Interior & Seat Solutions
- Services
- Industries:
- Business Aviation
- Commercial Aviation
- Defense
- eVTOL Systems
- Mass Transit
- Rotorcraft
- Space Systems
- VIP Aircraft
- Subsidiaries
- Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems
- Astronics AeroSat
- Astronics Ballard Technology
- Astronics Connectivity Systems and Certification
- Astronics Custom Control Concepts
- Astronics DME
- Astronics Luminescent Systems Inc
- Astronics PECO Inc
- Astronics PGA
- Astronics Test Systems
Astronics Advanced Electronic Systems (video below)
Valo by Vertical Aerospace
- 100 mile range
- 150 mph top speed
- Up to 6 passengers
- Airliner-level safety certification in 2028
- Airliner-level safety standards (UK/EU 10-⁹; CAA/EASA, SC-VTOL Category Enhanced)
- Quiet performance (<50 dBA in cruise)
- Room for six cabin bags and six checked bags
- 550 kg / 1,200 lbs total payload
- 1,500+ pre-orders globally
Valo in Atlanta (Verticon 2026) featuring cockpit, cabin, and exterior (video below):
CorePower® aircraft power distribution systems
CorePower® aircraft power distribution systems
- Up to 20× greater system reliability than traditional mechanical circuit breaker systems.
- Up to 30% less wiring weight, helping reduce aircraft empty weight.
- Up to 60% less power dissipation, improving electrical efficiency.
- Enhanced electrical safety through parallel arc-fault protection.
- A solid-state electrical architecture that replaces many traditional electromechanical components.
- Lower installation and maintenance costs, reducing total lifecycle costs.
- Simplified cockpit systems through intelligent power management and automation, helping reduce pilot workload.
Although neither Vertical Aerospace nor Astronics has disclosed the exact CorePower configuration that will be installed on Valo, Astronics’ technology is designed to replace many traditional electromechanical electrical components with an intelligent, distributed solid-state power management architecture. According to Astronics, the system can deliver up to 20× the reliability of conventional mechanical circuit breaker systems while reducing wiring weight by as much as 30%, decreasing wasted electrical power by up to 60%, and providing advanced features such as parallel arc fault protection and integrated system automation. For an eVTOL aircraft like Valo, where every kilogram saved can improve payload, range, or overall efficiency, these weight reductions could offer a meaningful advantage. Higher system reliability and enhanced fault protection are also critical as manufacturers work toward meeting the stringent safety and certification requirements of regulators such as EASA. The technology may also reduce maintenance requirements and lifecycle costs while simplifying cockpit operation through greater system integration. Astronics’ electrical power technologies have already been flown aboard Vertical Aerospace’s VX4 flight-test aircraft, providing operational experience that should help de-risk the transition to the certification-conforming Valo programme.
Electronic Circuit Breaker Units (ECBUs): Part of Astronics’ CorePower ecosystem, these solid-state devices distribute and protect electrical power throughout the aircraft, replacing traditional mechanical circuit breakers while enabling improved reliability, fault protection, and reduced wiring complexity.
Example of CorePower® products:
CorePower® 1426 Series Electronic Circuit Breaker Unit (ECBU)
- Electronic Circuit Breaker Unit (ECBU – 1426 Series): A solid-state DC power distribution and protection unit that replaces conventional thermal mechanical circuit breakers and can also function as a load switch, enabling more distributed electrical architectures in aircraft.
- Distributed installation architecture: Designed to be placed closer to electrical loads, reducing wiring length, lowering aircraft weight, and decreasing installation complexity and labor costs.
- Advanced circuit protection: Provides protection superior to thermal breakers with standard I²t trip behavior, instantaneous trip capability, and parallel arc-fault protection to improve electrical safety.
- Intelligent electrical monitoring: Integrates bus voltage and current sensing with continuous system monitoring to support fault detection and improved situational awareness.
- Digital control and communication: Uses dual redundant RS-485 communication buses to enable control, status reporting, and real-time electrical data exchange across the system.
- Highly redundant architecture: Includes dual redundant processors and auxiliary power supplies to improve system resilience and operational reliability.
- High data integration capability: Supports multiple discrete, analog, and relay-based inputs and outputs for broader aircraft system integration and control flexibility.
- High-density power distribution: Each unit can support up to 45 circuit breakers, enabling compact and scalable DC secondary power distribution.
- Aircraft electrical performance: Operates on 28VDC systems with a continuous current rating of 300A.
- Safety and reliability features: Includes arc-fault protection, extensive built-in test functionality, and a flight-proven design with over 10 million failure-free flight hours.
CorePower® 1448 Series 28 VDC or 115 VAC Electronic Circuit Breaker Unit (ECBU)
- CorePower 1448 Electronic Circuit Breaker Unit: A solid-state AC/DC power distribution unit that replaces traditional thermal mechanical circuit breakers and can also function as a load switch.
- Dual-voltage capability: Supports both 28 VDC and 115 VAC aircraft electrical systems within a modular architecture.
- Distributed protection architecture: Places circuit protection closer to electrical loads, helping reduce wiring length, system complexity, and overall aircraft weight.
- Advanced solid-state protection: Includes standard I²t trip functions, instantaneous short-circuit protection, and parallel arc-fault detection for improved electrical safety.
- Digital system monitoring: Provides real-time data on breaker status, current, and voltage via redundant RS-485 communication buses.
- Redundant control architecture: Features dual control power inputs and multiple layers of system redundancy for higher reliability.
- Highly configurable system design: Supports modular expansion from 1 to 30 ECB cards, with AC and DC cards able to operate within the same chassis.
- Flexible load management: Allows programmable breaker ratings across both AC and DC outputs for adaptable aircraft integration.
- Built-in safety and testing: Includes continuous self-test capability and lightning protection up to Level 4 standards.
- Operational benefits: Designed to improve reliability, reduce installation complexity, lower maintenance costs, and increase overall electrical system efficiency in aircraft applications.
VX4 Full-scale Prototype
- VX4: Vertical Aerospace’s piloted four-seat eVTOL flight-test aircraft
- Purpose: Used to test and validate key technologies before certification of Valo
- Role in development: Helps reduce technical risk by proving systems in real flight conditions
- Supplier integration: Has flown with hardware from partners including Astronics
- Programme value: Provides real-world data to support the transition from prototype to certifiable aircraft design
The selection of Astronics for Valo’s low-voltage power distribution system is another step in Vertical Aerospace’s gradual transition from aircraft development to certification readiness. While propulsion systems often dominate attention in the eVTOL sector, electrical architecture is increasingly emerging as one of the defining enablers of safe, certifiable electric flight.
As aircraft like Valo move toward production-intent design, suppliers such as Astronics play a critical role in reducing technical risk by bringing flight-proven systems and established certification experience into emerging aircraft platforms. The integration of CorePower® technology, already flown on Vertical’s VX4 test aircraft, suggests a continuation of that de-risking strategy as the programme matures.
More broadly, the agreement reflects a wider industry trend: eVTOL manufacturers are increasingly relying on established aerospace suppliers rather than developing complex subsystems entirely in-house. In doing so, they are effectively blending new aircraft architectures with proven aviation technologies, a balance that may prove essential as the sector moves toward regulatory approval and commercial entry into service. Vertical Aerospace has consistently followed this strategy, and CEO Stuart Simpson has discussed the approach on multiple occasions, including in an interview earlier this year with eVTOL buzz’s Editor-in-Chief, Julian Orkisz:
Stuart Simpson – CEO of Vertical Aerospace
- Previously Vertical’s CFO (September 2023 to May 2024)
- Former CFO of Avast and Royal Mail (UK)
- Former Finance Director Global Compact Car Division at General Motors
- Former Director of Planning and Strategy at GM Europe
- Former Group Finance Director Sales and Marketing, Design and Engineering at GM
- Former Financial Controller After-Sales, Parts and Accessories at Vauxhall Motors (GM)
- Former Senior Finance Manager at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace:
“At Vertical, we’re very intentional about where we innovate and where we don’t. We don’t pursue novelty for its own sake. Instead, we focus our engineering effort on the areas that genuinely differentiate the aircraft – the powertrain, flight controls, propellers and design and integration.”
“Where proven technologies already exist, we partner with best-in-class aerospace suppliers, like Honeywell and Aciturri. That gives us confidence in quality and safety, and it allows our teams to spend their time solving hard problems that matter for day one operations.”
“As we move from prototype development to producing Valo as a commercial aircraft, that discipline becomes even more important. We are an aerospace manufacturer, and our job is to build aircraft that regulators trust, operators rely on, and can create a profitable business from, and to ensure that customers have a world-class experience when they fly.”
Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace in a response to a question from eVTOL buzz’s Editor-in-Chief, Julian Orkisz regarding innovation and trusted supply chain selection during an interview in early 2026
As Vertical Aerospace progresses toward Critical Design Review and beyond, announcements like this are less about individual components and more about the steady assembly of a certifiable aircraft system. In that context, the addition of Astronics is another indicator that Valo is moving deeper into the industrialisation phase of its development programme.
More Info:
Vertical Aerospace (official website): click here
Official press release: click here
Astronics (official website): click here
Electrical Power Distribution Systems / CorePower®: click here
Astronics CorePower 1426 Series Electronic Circuit Breaker Unit (ECBU): click here
Astronics eVTOL systems: click here