UK aircraft developer Skyfly Technologies has secured a $10 million seed investment to advance its two-seat Axe electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing aircraft from prototype development towards certification and production. Led by HICO Investment Group with participation from defence-technology investor Archangel, the funding supports planned FAA approval, expanded UK and US manufacturing capacity and first customer deliveries targeted for 2027.
The Axe is being developed for private aircraft owners rather than commercial air-taxi operations. Skyfly’s prototype has completed more than 100 piloted flights, holds experimental flight permits in the UK and US, and made what the company describes as Europe’s first airfield-to-airfield eVTOL flight in 2025, between Turweston and Bicester.
Eight fixed-angle electric motors provide vertical lift, while fixed wings support forward flight. Company-stated targets include a range of more than 100 miles, 60 to 90 minutes of endurance, a 100-mph cruise speed and a 200-kg payload. The programme has an order book of 61 private customers, although certification and production remain outstanding.
The investment will also accelerate Skyfly’s Longbow hybrid-electric unmanned aircraft, a derivative aimed at defence and government missions including cargo resupply, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, medical evacuation and ship-to-shore logistics. Skyfly gives the Longbow a target range of more than 400 miles and a payload of up to 200 kg. Manufacturing and assembly are centred on a 10,000-square-foot UK facility, with further US production expansion planned.