The future of global aviation took center stage in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia as a high-level US trade delegation successfully completed a groundbreaking advanced air mobility (AAM) mission, opening doors to a potential $38B industry.
In the midst of China’s reforms to promote low-altitude economic development and accelerate technological progress, tiltrotor technology has remained a relatively minor element of the local civilian aerospace sector, primarily focused on uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, including those using tiltpropeller propulsion.
Notable leadership position changes, March/April 2025
Amid the attention-grabbing headlines and sweeping projections for advanced air mobility (AAM), a few companies have stood out as outliers, charting a quieter path by concentrating on research and development.
Here’s our roundup of recent news on battery-electric, hybrid-electric and hydrogen-electric conventional takeoff and landing (eCTOL) and short takeoff and landing (eSTOL) aircraft for advanced air mobility (AAM) applications.
Fairfax, Virginia, USA, March 14, 2025 — The Vertical Flight Society (VFS), the world’s leading non-profit organization working to advance vertical flight and advanced air mobility (AAM), is holding its 4th Annual H2-Aero Symposium on April 2–3, 2025, in Long Beach, California. This year’s event is in conjunction with the SAE International Hydrogen Airport Committee meeting on April 1, open for all. Both events will be at the Long Beach Hilton. Details can be found at www.vtol.org/h2symposium.
On Feb. 10, French aircraft developer Ascendance announced a partnership to demonstrate its Sterna hybrid-electric propulsion system on a 55-lb (25-kg) Delair fixed-wing DT46 drone (shown) for France's defense procurement agency Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA).
On Jan. 28, Swiss drone developer Dufour Aerospace announced the completion of several test flights in Zurich with its 331-lb (150-kg) Aero2 autonomous aircraft using its hybrid-electric powertrain.
Propulsion developer Evolito announced on Feb. 4 that it would provide its D250 electric motor to the 656-ft (200-m) long LCA60T airship designed by Flying Whales.
On Jan. 31, Textron eAviation company Pipistrel announced the first hover test flight of its Nuuva V300 hybrid-electric VTOL cargo drone.
