Hyderabad: BluJ Aerospace, a Hyderabad-based electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) startup, created history on Friday when it successfully demonstrated the flying capabilities of its prototype autonomous eVTOL. The aircraft, weighing around 500 kg and touted as the largest privately built aircraft in India, took flight amid strong crosswinds. It remained airborne for over a minute and a half before returning to land safely at the take-off spot.
The tech demonstration showcased the eVTOL’s vertical lift-off and landing capabilities, as well as forward and backward movement. The live demo was conducted at the Nadargul airfield on Hyderabad’s outskirts.
Terming this as a breakthrough for India’s aerospace startup ecosystem, BluJ Aerospace Co-Founder & CEO M Amardeep Sri Vatsavaya said Hydrogen-electric powered VTOLs are the first to be designed and manufactured in India.
“Though the prototype demonstrated was powered by Lithium-ion battery packs and motors, BluJ showcased initial takeoff and stability in air, one of the most difficult phases of a VTOL even as it is developing Hydrogen fuel cell technology in-house,” he said.
BluJ Aerospace Co-Founder & CTO Uttam Kumar Dharamapuri said they took a year to develop this working prototype and are now developing a commercial logistics eVTOL — BluJ REACH with a capacity to carry 100 kgs cargo over 300 kms.
It is also designing HOP, a piloted variant that can carry six-seven passengers over 600-700 km with an eye on enabling regional connectivity between cities like Hyderabad-Warangal, Bengaluru-Mysuru, Chennai-Pondicherry and Mumbai-Pune under 30 minutes without relying on traditional airport infrastructure.
While REACH is expected to be ready for commercial rollout by 2026-27 with a 500 units per annum capacity, HOP is expected to be ready by 2028-29, he said.
The startup is also developing a defence variant that can operate at high altitudes of 5000-6000 ft for relief and supply missions for armed forces.
Founded in 2022 by the two local lads, who completed BTech in aeronautical engineering from JNTU, BluJ today has a 35 employees. It is in parleys with VCs and private family offices to raise Rs 200-250 crore via a Series-A fundraise soon after raising Rs 18 crore in May 2023 from Rainmatter Capital by Zerodha, Endiya Partners and Ideaspring Capital.
