Marshall Aerospace completes initial flight model for Horizon Aircraft’s Cavorite X7

Image courtesy Marshall Aerospace

The X7 combines the agility and versatility of a helicopter with the speed and safety of a conventional fixed-wing aircraft, using powerful lift fans to take off before transitioning to forward flight at a safe altitude and speed. The aircraft is forecast to operate up to 75% more cost-efficiently than helicopters, thanks to its advanced hybrid power system and fan-in-wing design.

In 2025, Horizon Aircraft issued a competitive tender for specialised flight dynamics and control systems support as the X7 advances toward key milestones in the design, development and certification process.

Marshall Aerospace’s Aero Engineering Services business was selected to undertake the programme due to its extensive experience and track record with platform modifications, special mission conversions and other applied engineering programmes related to the dynamics, stability and control of aircraft.

The Marshall team has now conducted extensive analysis to model how the X7’s aerodynamic, propulsion and mass characteristics influence flight behaviour. The outcome is a six degrees of freedom (6-DOF) flight model to support development of the X7’s safety-critical control system, enabling Horizon Aircraft to predict and optimise how the aircraft responds to control inputs.

Marshall has delivered an initial software variant for steady level flight, with models for additional flight regimes now in development as part of the company’s ongoing support for Horizon Aircraft.

Mark Hewer, Aero Engineering Services Director, Marshall Aerospace, said: “We’re delighted to support Horizon Aircraft through safety-critical development work on a product that presents new possibilities for commercial and military aviation.

“This programme shows how our deep engineering experience translates across complex challenges ranging from platform modifications to special mission conversions and test beds.”

In May 2025, Horizon Aircraft completed the successful transition flight of its large-scale prototype, validating its patented fan-in-wing technology. The company has been designing and building its full-scale hybrid-electric VTOL aircraft, and expects to complete assembly later in 2026 with flight testing to commence in early 2027.

Tom Brassington, Chief Technology Officer, Horizon Aircraft, said: “The delivery of the first flight model for the Cavorite X7 marks a strong start to our partnership with Marshall Aerospace.

“Marshall’s engineers have integrated seamlessly into our development process, serving as an extension of our team and applying their expertise to developing one of the safest, toughest and most performant modern VTOL aircraft.”