AMSL Aero secures A$5.43 million in funding from Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA) for its Vertiia eVTOL aircraft
AMSL Aero has today (Wednesday) welcomed the Australian Government’s move to back development of its hydrogen-powered aircraft Vertiia, after receiving A$5.43 million in funding from the Australian Renewable Energy Agency (ARENA).
The amount will be used to develop a hydrogen fuel-cell system for its eVTOL aircraft, which will be used to help first responders and emergency personnel meet the needs of Australians living in regional and remote areas.
The ARENA grant provides key funding to demonstrate the feasibility of renewable hydrogen as a fuel for a Vertiia aircraft, with a range of up to 1,000km. Vertiia will be available for markets such as air ambulance, emergency services, and passenger and cargo transport.
AMSL Aero Founder and CEO, Andrew Moore said: “The significant funding provided by ARENA will mean that we can accelerate the design, build and certification activities for our long range, hydrogen-powered eVTOL) aircraft.
“It will mean that patients and passengers will have earlier access to the aircraft as a result and will play a key role in decarbonising air transport in Australia and abroad. We are very thankful that ARENA backs companies like ours who are committed to clean technology that will benefit society and our planet.”
Vertiia is an eight electric motor tilting wing aircraft which can operate from a helipad or similar size landing site. It takes off and lands vertically like a helicopter, but flies fast and efficiently like a plane.
Vertiia produces zero carbon emissions using hydrogen, with a planned commercial market entry following certification planned for 2026.
The initial aircraft will be certified for piloted flight, with autonomy systems installed for future remote piloted applications. AMSL Aero says Vertiia will have a cost to operate in the longer term comparable with short-range (domestic) airliners, but has the advantage of taking passengers from door-to-door due to not requiring a runway.
Vertiia’s light air ambulance setup will seat a pilot, a paramedic and/or doctor and patient, or it will be configured to carry passengers (1 pilot + 4pax). The aircraft will cruise at 300km /hour and its initial range will be 250km on battery and 1,000km on hydrogen power.
When operational, Vertiia has the capability to connect Australian regional hubs such as Armidale to Coffs Harbour or Dubbo to Sydney and due to the small number of seats it can conduct on-demand (unscheduled) services to reduce excess capacity (empty seats).
ARENA CEO, Darren Miller, said the project is a prime example of Australian innovators taking the lead in developing renewable energy solutions.
He added: “AMSL Aero is a homegrown Australian startup tackling one of the many challenges in the transition to net zero. Developing low emissions air transport will require a variety of solutions, including hydrogen and battery electric. AMSL’s work on the Vertiia is truly pioneering in this space. For end users like emergency services, this technology is an exciting prospect for cutting emissions from air transport.”
Minister for Climate Change and Energy, Chris Bowen, added that hydrogen has a big role to play in Australia’s transport future.
He said: “The Albanese Government is proud to be investing in this high-tech aviation project in parallel to more than A$2.5 billion to get a domestic renewable hydrogen industry off the ground. AMSL’s aircraft could become an important tool for emergency services personnel, particularly as we face more frequent natural disasters.
“Green hydrogen and other sustainable aviation fuels are vital to help decarbonise the hard-to-abate aviation sector, now accounting for around 2.5 per cent of global emissions.”
AMSL Aero is a sustainable development aerospace company, which was founded by Moore and his wife Siobhan Lyndon in 2017. Its headquarters is in Bankstown, New South Wales, with flight test facilities also in the Australian state. The name ‘AMSL Aero’ is derived from the initials of Andrew and Siobhan, with the company privately backed by investors including IP Group Australia, Telstra Super, Host Plus and St Baker Energy Innovation Fund.
Moore is an aeronautical engineer, with more than 20 years’ experience in the aircraft industry, while Siobhan, who is COO, has more than 20 years’ experience in the technology, telecommunications, and professional services sectors.
