XTI Aerospace announces MOU with VerdeGo Aero for collaboration on hybrid-electric technologies

XTI Aerospace announced a technology collaboration MoU with VerdeGo Aero. XTI is seeking optimal powertrain solutions for military and civilian market opportunities within the unmanned aircraft systems market segment. Throughout the development of its transformational TriFan 600 airplane and its derivatives, XTI has continually evaluated technologies to maximize the performance of its aircraft. In the next phase of its evaluation, XTI is excited to work with VerdeGo on the use of hybrid-electric propulsion solutions for certain planned variants that would be optimal for such a system.

This collaboration will allow XTI to design these variants from the outset to fully leverage the performance and efficiency benefits enabled by hybridization. Benefiting from the significant progress VerdeGo has made towards maturing its hybrid powerplant programs over the past two years, both companies see potential synergies and customer solutions. The MOU between the companies provides a framework to collaborate on aircraft mission performance targets and related power requirements using hybrid-electric propulsion. Potential opportunities include critical military and commercial UAS logistics and cargo missions where speed, range and VTOL performance is paramount.

Scott Pomeroy, Chairman and CEO of XTI Aerospace commented: "XTI is focused on enabling unparalleled mission capability – high speed and long range with VTOL capabilities. We believe hybrid-electric power generation, electric propulsion, and other emerging technologies will enable XTI to deliver superior performance and increased sustainability across a wide range of applications and use cases. VerdeGo is a technology and thought leader in the field and we are excited to collaborate with them."

Eric Bartsch, CEO and Co-founder of VerdeGo Aero, stated: "VerdeGo Aero sees great potential for high-performance hybridized versions of the XTI aircraft family that leverage VerdeGo's portfolio of hybrid powerplants to provide high-speed cruise and VTOL capabilities. Building on the maturity of our VH-4T turbine-hybrid powerplant and the design and analysis work completed on the VH-5 blended turbofan through both internal development and defense-supported programs, VerdeGo will be working with XTI to identify optimal combinations of powertrain and airframe to deliver on the missions that are most important for both military and civilian markets."