Singapore’s Home Team Science & Technology Agency (HTX) has awarded Vertical Aerospace [NYSE:EVTL] a proof-of-concept grant to explore how electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft can support emergency medical services in hard-to-reach parts of the country.
The grant, issued under the Dimension X Cohort 7 Challenge run by HTX’s innovation centre Hatch, will see Vertical adapt its Valo eVTOL platform for time-critical medical response scenarios. The project specifically targets remote island areas surrounding Singapore, where conventional transport can delay care.
Over the coming months, Vertical will develop a detailed concept of operations aligned with Singapore’s regulatory and operational requirements. The work includes evaluating cabin configurations for patient transport and in-flight care, as well as conducting a proof-of-flight demonstration to assess mission feasibility, response times, and safety.
The programme runs through April 2026 and involves close collaboration with the Singapore Home Team. Together, they will assess how eVTOL and hybrid-electric aircraft could integrate with existing emergency response systems and potentially improve patient outcomes.
Vertical was selected through a competitive process, with its Valo aircraft noted for safety-first engineering, cabin flexibility, and a credible path to certification. The initiative is intended as a foundation for longer-term collaboration, moving beyond isolated trials toward operational service.
Singapore has been steadily advancing its advanced air mobility ecosystem, with support from the Economic Development Board and the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore. The Vertical project aligns with these national efforts to enable next-generation aircraft and build industry capability.
Stuart Simpson, CEO of Vertical Aerospace, said the partnership offers a practical opportunity to demonstrate the role of electric aviation in public safety. “We are proud to work closely with Singapore’s public-sector safety and security experts to explore how electric and hybrid-electric aircraft could support emergency response operations safely and effectively,” he said. “This is an important step in making AAM a reality in the region.”
Shao Hong Mok, Centre Director at Hatch and Senior VP for Innovations at TechX Ventures, emphasised HTX’s broader mandate. “Through the Dimension X Challenge, HTX partners industry innovators to explore how emerging technologies can responsively address real operational needs,” he said. “Our collaboration with Vertical Aerospace allows us to assess the potential of advanced air mobility for emergency medical response, while maintaining a strong focus on safety, regulation and operational readiness.”
