Universal Avionics to Supply Vision Systems for CityHawk eVTOL Aircraft

Universal Avionics is to provide key flight deck technology for the CityHawk eVTOL aircraft being developed by Urban Aeronautics. Under a November 10 agreement, the U.S.-based avionics group will supply the Israeli start-up with its ClearVision enhanced flight vision system and also its Aperture advanced video management device for the vehicle.

In July, Urban Aeronautics confirmed that it has redesigned the CityHawk’s fuselage and intends to add new flight controls and navigation systems. The five-seat aircraft has ducted fans that will now be powered by a combination of electric motors and hydrogen fuel cells provided by HyPoint.

Urban Aeronautics, which is trying to raise up to around $100 million in fresh capital through a Series A funding round, hopes to be ready to fully launch the new version of the CityHawk in early 2022, starting with a technology demonstrator. It has not published a timeline for achieving type certification and bringing the aircraft to market for roles including intra-city passenger transportation and emergency medical support.

The company’s earlier technology demonstrator features the EVS 4000 enhanced vision system (EVS) developed by Universal Avionics’ parent company, Elbit Systems. Kearfott is providing navigation systems.

Universal Avionics says it will provide its Skylens wearable vision system headset for pilots as well as a package of 360-degree sensors. By fusing inputs from these sensors, using augmented reality technology, the company aims to improve situational awareness and help CityHawk pilots to make decisions during flights. The package it provides will include its smaller EVS-4000 camera.

“This partnership is particularly exciting in that it offers the CityHawk and our pilots improved visibility and agility for every ride, whether it be transferring passengers from an office to an apartment building downtown or evacuating a patient to a hospital,” said Urban Aeronautics CEO Nimrod Golan-Yanay. “As a pilot of over 25 years, I know firsthand how powerful this technology is, and what a valuable step this partnership is in making urban air mobility a safe and enjoyable reality for both pilots and passengers.”

Between them, Universal Avionics and Elbit have delivered nearly 3,000 EVS cameras for 22 aircraft types.