AMSL Aero, Project Vertiia – A Renewable Hydrogen Air Transport System

Summary

Need

AMSL Aero aims to develop the world’s most efficient eVTOL aircraft. 

The Vertiia designs are equipped with eight vertically aligned rotors that generate lift during take-off (like a helicopter). The rotors then gradually shift forward to transition into a cruising flight mode (in a position similar to a plane). All 8 rotors are capable of fine motor speed and thrust control.  

AMSL Aero expects the hydrogen-powered Vertiia to fly up to 1000km and offer a lower cost alternative compared to helicopters and other light aircraft for urban or regional applications, including regional passenger (a pilot and four passengers) and aeromedical transport. 

Action

The project will involve: 

• Installation of ground testing facilities. 
• Design, integration and optimisation of components such as the hydrogen storage tank, fuel cell system and balance of plant for hydrogen powered Vertiia. 
• Low-altitude and low-speed flight test demonstrations of the hydrogen powered Vertiia protype aircraft. 
• Completion of knowledge sharing reports, including lessons learnt and key milestones throughout the project.

Outcome

The project will: 

• Demonstrate the feasibility of renewable hydrogen powered air transport system in applications up to a flying range of 1,000km through development and testing of a hydrogen powered eVTOL prototype. 
• Increase understanding of the regulatory, safety and operational lessons learned for a first of kind hydrogen powered eVTOL aircraft in Australia including the CASA certification process. 
• Promote the decarbonisation of the aviation sector and potentially catalyse broader transport applications with demonstrated technical improvements and learning in fuel cell, balance of plant and hydrogen storage optimisation.