Horizon Aircraft Ltd. (NASDAQ:HOVR) announced a partnership with Motion Applied, the former high‑performance technology arm of Formula 1’s McLaren Group that became independent in July 2025, to design and manufacture the motor drive inverter that will convert electrical power from the Cavorite X7’s hybrid‑electric system into thrust. The inverter is air‑cooled, silicon‑carbide based, weighs less than 3 kg, and is built on Motion Applied’s MCU‑X platform, a technology that has proven reliability in high‑performance racing applications.
The Cavorite X7 is a hybrid‑electric eVTOL that aims to fly the majority of its mission like a conventional aircraft while using an electric motor for vertical take‑off and landing. By leveraging Motion Applied’s expertise, Horizon expects to shorten the development cycle for the inverter, reduce weight, and improve power density—key factors that will help the aircraft meet its projected flight‑test schedule in mid‑2027 and target type certification by 2030.
Tom Brassington, Horizon’s Chief Technology Officer, said the company chose Motion Applied because of its “innovation, deep expertise, and ability to rapidly design, manufacture, and test in‑house.” He added that partnering with a team that has powered Formula 1 race cars for more than three decades gives Horizon confidence that the inverter will meet the high‑performance standards required for vertical lift. Samir Maha, CEO of Motion Applied, echoed this sentiment, noting that the collaboration “reflects a shared engineering mindset and a commitment to pushing the boundaries of electrification.”
The partnership positions Horizon to accelerate the Cavorite X7’s path to market, as the hybrid‑electric approach offers longer range and payload capacity than fully electric competitors. By securing a proven supplier early in the development cycle, Horizon can focus on integrating the inverter into its aircraft architecture, streamline certification efforts, and strengthen its competitive edge in the growing regional air‑mobility market.
The collaboration underscores a broader industry trend of eVTOL makers partnering with specialized technology firms to overcome engineering challenges. Horizon’s move signals confidence in its hybrid‑electric strategy and demonstrates the company’s intent to bring a commercially viable aircraft to market within the next few years.
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