GEM ups funding in Skyworks to $200m
Skyworks has secured greater investment from GEM as it continues to work on developing its eGyro and VertiJet aircraft, targeting the UAM air taxi and helicopter markets respectively
Skyworks has secured greater investment from GEM as it continues to work on developing its eGyro and VertiJet aircraft, targeting the UAM air taxi and helicopter markets respectively
“We are very excited about our diverse portfolio of gyro capabilities which we believe position us exceptionally well to provide safe, affordable and extremely capable vertical lift and progressive electric alternatives to nations across the globe.” Stated Brig. General (Ret.) John Michel, Skyworks Aeronautics Co-Founder and CEO.
Stephen Judd has joined Skyworks as director of global business development. His far reaching experience in many technological fields will bring welcome momentum to the company. Driven by a passion for technology, Judd has delivered services and products to customers around the world.
Stephen Judd brings a successful track record in delivering high profile sales in the global aerospace, defense and marine industries. - "Skyworks’ gyroplanes hold the potential to revolutionize flight in a diverse range of aircraft markets, offering customers huge advantages and many benefits”— Stephen Judd, Skyworks Director of Global Business Development
“The advanced air mobility space has seen rapid investment and growth over the last year,” said Steven Montes, defense electronics analyst, who covers the AAM market for Forecast International, an aerospace consultancy. “With the sheer number of aircraft designs floating around, joint efforts to get those aircraft into use will be the deciding factor in long-term success. Skyworks seems to understand that crucial task of the next half-decade.”
Skyworks and MintAir are joining forces with partners including Lotte Corporation to advance the commercial viability of UAM companies in South Korea. Seoul-based Lotte Corporation was established in 1967 and has over 90 affiliates across more than 30 countries, while Lotte Rental plans to develop a ground mobility platform offering transport and rental assets based on customer data from its 40 million members and customers. The consortium will conduct component tests and test flights of Skyworks’ eGyro in 2022-2023
The second consortium brings together U.S. eVTOL startup Skyworks Aeronautics, the Incheon metropolitan government, battery provider Mobius.Energy and its sister company MintAir, which has been launched to operate electric aircraft in Korea. Completing the group are Korean conglomerate Lotte Holdings and Lotte Rental, the country’s largest car rental company.
"LOTTE Group, including LOTTE Rental, will invest relevant resources and capabilities to successfully carry out this demonstration project with the Consortium, IAIAC and Incheon Metropolitan City”— Dong-woo Lee, LOTTE Corp.’s Chief Executive Officer
“We are excited to be partnering with Williams Advanced Engineering, born from Formula 1 racing, a globally recognized leader in advanced composites, electrification systems, and lightweight engineering, to develop our groundbreaking eGyro electric aircraft,” stated John Michel, Skyworks’ Chief Executive Officer. -||- Paul McNamara, Technical Director, Williams Advanced Engineering said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Skyworks on this innovative project. Aerodynamics, lightweight advanced materials and electrification are core competencies for us – and we’re looking forward to applying them to the eGyro, which seems set to redefine the gyroplane; bringing about a step change in aeronautical e-mobility.”
Mobius has set up a sister company, Mint Air, in South Korea as an electric aircraft operator. Mint Air’s aircraft partner is U.S. startup Skyworks Aeronautics, which is developing the four-passenger eGyro eVTOL. The companies have signed a letter of intent with the city of Incheon to test-fly the eGyro in South Korea.