Airbility

What Airbility does

Airbility Inc. is a South Korean startup founded in November 2023 that develops electric vertical-takeoff-and-landing (eVTOL) aircraft using proprietary tilt-electric ducted fan (EDF) propulsion technology. The company was co-founded by aerospace engineers from Korea's Agency for Defense Development (ADD) and Hyundai Motor Company, and operates from three facilities in Cheonan (headquarters), Seoul Yangjae (R&D), and Seongnam (manufacturing). Its product portfolio spans the AB-U4 educational UAV (4 kg, 160 km/h), the AB-U60 tactical UAV family (60 kg, 200 km/h, 80 km EV / 250 km EREV range) with mission-specific variants for humanitarian logistics (Rescue), wildfire monitoring (Firewatch), counter-drone operations (Capture), and maritime fisheries (Sea Swift), the AB-U10 small tactical UAV (180 km/h), and the planned AB-M1300 manned two-seat eVTOL (400 km/h, 400 km range) targeting 2028 commercialization under FAA MOSAIC LSA qualification.

The company's core technology is a distributed electric fanjet architecture with four tilt-electric ducted fans enabling combined vertical lift and high-speed fixed-wing cruise, governed by proprietary transition flight control software and a modular hybrid energy system (including a 7kW-class hybrid power system transferred from KARI). Onboard AI capabilities span sensor fusion, computer vision for fire and object detection, and autonomous swarm command, architected by a former ADD AI Division head.

Airbility generates revenue through four streams: direct B2B/government sales of aircraft platforms (mostly quote-based), OEM production and licensing arrangements with international partners (notably CT Group in Vietnam for 5,000 units), educational platform sales (Simulink-based kits for academic institutions), and government R&D funding (DeepTech TIPS, Super-Gap Startup 1000+, Innovation Premier 1,000 Defense). Total private capital raised is approximately 3.7 billion KRW (~$2.8M USD) as of January 2025. The company pursues international expansion via OEM and joint venture partnerships rather than direct sales, with active agreements in Vietnam (CT Group), Saudi Arabia (SANAD Industrial JV), Thailand (NT iBuzz and SmartOkO consortium), and Germany (Schübeler). Primary customer segments are defense and military, public safety and government, and selected commercial applications including maritime surveillance.

Name

Airbility

Legal name

Airbility Inc.

Website

https://airbility.co.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2023

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Airbility is a South Korean startup developing tilt-electric ducted fan eVTOL aircraft — from educational drones to tactical UAVs and a planned manned two-seater — serving defense, public safety, maritime, and commercial customers through direct sales and international OEM partnerships in Vietnam, Saudi Arabia, Thailand, and Germany.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

eVTOL Aircraft & Advanced Air Mobility

NAICS

Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511), Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413)

SIC

Aircraft & Parts (3720), Aircraft (3721), Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812)

akta.pro primary industry

VTOL & Hybrid UAV Platforms (IMABAIAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Electric & Hybrid-Electric Propulsion (eVTOL/Regional) (IMABADAH), Autonomous Flight Control & Guidance Systems (UAS/Urban Air Mobility) (IMABAFAO), Avionics Software, Certification & Safety-Critical Systems (DO-178/DO-254) (IMABAFAK)

Keywords

• EVTOL aircraft development
• Tilt-duct propulsion systems
• Military UAV platforms
• Counter-drone technology
• Advanced air mobility

Headquarters

HQ city

Seongnam

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. UAV / eVTOL Aircraft Sales: Sale of proprietary eVTOL aircraft platforms (AB-U4, AB-U60, AB-M1300) and mission-configured variants (Rescue, Firewatch, Capture, Sea Swift). Primarily B2B/government sales with pricing determined per contract. AB-U60 unit production underway with AB-U10 under development.
2. OEM Production & Licensing: OEM production arrangements with international partners (CT Group producing 5,000 UAVs including AB-U60 under license) and technology licensing arrangements. Generates revenue through technology transfer fees, licensing royalties, and component/system licensing.
3. Educational Platform Sales: Sale of Simulink-based educational kits (AB-U4) for academic and training institutions. Complete set including aircraft, controller, GCS, remote control, and curriculum targeting UAM pilot training and engineering education.
4. Technology Transfer & R&D Services: Revenue from technology transfer agreements (e.g., hybrid power system from KARI) and R&D collaboration programs. Government R&D funding (DeepTech TIPS, Super-Gap Startup 1000+) supplements commercialization development.

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Airbility designs, manufactures, and sells high-speed electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft based on proprietary tilt-electric ducted fan (EDF) propulsion technology. Its product line ranges from small educational UAVs (AB-U4), tactical unmanned aircraft (AB-U10, AB-U60 with mission variants for rescue, firewatch, counter-drone capture, and maritime surveillance), to a planned 1.3-ton two-seat manned eVTOL (AB-M1300). The company sells to defense agencies, public safety organizations, and government/commercial customers, complemented by OEM licensing and educational kits.

Product overview

Airbility develops a portfolio of vectored thrust eVTOL (electric vertical takeoff and landing) aircraft based on proprietary tilt-electric ducted fan (EDF) propulsion technology. The product line spans from small educational platforms (AB-U4) through tactical unmanned systems (AB-U10, AB-U60 series) to larger manned aircraft (AB-M1300). The AB-U60 serves as the core unmanned platform with mission-specific variants: AB-U60 Rescue for humanitarian logistics, AB-U60 Firewatch for wildfire monitoring, AB-U60 Capture for counter-drone operations, and AB-U60 Sea Swift for maritime surveillance. The AB-M1300 represents the company's manned aviation vision targeting 2028 commercialization under the FAA's modernized LSA regulations. The technology stack includes distributed electric fanjet propulsion, transition flight control software, modular hybrid energy systems, and onboard AI capabilities for autonomous operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AB-U60 60kg-class vectored thrust eVTOL unmanned aerial vehicle with 3m wingspan, 200km/h maximum speed, and 80km (EV) or 250km (EREV) range. Features four tilt-electric ducted fans and a distributed electric fanjet propulsion system; core platform for mission variants sold to defense, public safety, and commercial customers.
• AB-U60 Rescue HADR (Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief) variant of AB-U60 designed for rapid delivery of critical supplies including medical equipment, vaccines, food, and water to disaster-stricken regions, medical emergencies, and inaccessible territories.
• AB-U60 Firewatch Wildfire detection, monitoring, and emergency response variant equipped with high-resolution RGB and thermal/infrared cameras, onboard AI decision/detection capability, and 60-degree adjustable field of view for wide-area monitoring.
• AB-U60 Capture Counter-drone (anti-drone) variant designed to physically capture or neutralize unauthorized drones using a net-launching system or air-to-air missiles at speeds up to 200km/h, targeting light-weight drones for protection of critical infrastructure.
• AB-U60 Sea Swift Maritime aerial mission variant equipped with optical camera and ultrasonic detector for fish school detection, designed for deployment on tuna purse seine vessels to maximize detection efficiency and optimize fishing operations.
• AB-U4 4kg-class vectored thrust eVTOL with 1m wingspan and 160km/h maximum speed. Designed as an educational platform with a Simulink-based control system for training and research purposes; sold with a complete curriculum kit to universities and training institutions.
• AB-U4 Simulink-Based Educational Kit Complete educational set including the AB-U4 aircraft, tunable controller with real-time result confirmation and 3D visualization, GCS, remote control, and beginner-appropriate curriculum for learning eVTOL technology; sold to universities and pilot training programs.
• AB-M1300 1.3-ton-class two-seat vectored thrust eVTOL with 10m wingspan, 400km range, 250kg payload capacity, and 400km/h maximum speed. Targeting 2028 commercialization for personal air mobility independent of runway infrastructure. Qualified under FAA MOSAIC LSA category.
• AB-U10 1.8m-class tactical small unmanned aerial vehicle with fixed-wing-based vertical takeoff and landing tilt-propulsion system, 180km/h speed. Designed for rapid short-range reconnaissance and counter-drone missions with net-gun capture system for physical c-UAS operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 20x wider operational radius compared to conventional drones
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Schübeler (Germany)coreTechnology or Integration · 15 May 2026Korean high-speed eVTOL developer Airbility and German propulsion technology specialist Schübeler signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop electric ducted fan (EDF) propulsion systems for next-generation eVTOL aircraft. The multi-dimensional partnership covers joint R&D programs, EDF customization for Airbility platforms, hybrid propulsion integration, and engineering support for flight certifications. Positioned within Korea-Germany international R&D programs. Enables Airbility's Korean eVTOL technology to enter the European market.
• KILSA Global (Singapore)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 13 April 2026Singapore-headquartered KILSA Global serves as global business-building partner facilitating Airbility's Southeast Asia market entry. Facilitator of the four-party Thailand MoU and Vietnam CT Group partnership. Continues to support Airbility and CT Group in AAM commercialization including promotion of demonstration projects and expansion of distribution networks.
• KATECH - AAM & Future Mobility Safety Research Center (Korea)coreTechnology or Integration · 27 February 2026MoU for cooperation in drone and AAM R&D signed at DSK 2026. Joint utilization of research infrastructure for evaluating performance and reliability of AAM core components and aircraft. Cooperation in new drone and AAM product development, technical support, regular information exchange, and co-hosting of related events. KATECH is building AAM testing infrastructure in Seosan including vertiport, integrated testing facility, flight performance testing facility, and hydrogen testing facility (completion end 2026).
• Korea Counter-Drone Industry AssociationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 January 2026MoU for cooperation in drone and counter-drone technologies. Aims to strengthen technological competitiveness in defense and security sectors by integrating counter-drone technologies with UAV systems. Pursues continuous R&D in drone/counter-drone convergence technologies and jointly analyzes latest counter-drone trends including detection, identification, and neutralization. Combines Airbility's high-speed eVTOL/UAV development capabilities with the Association's counter-drone technology network.
• SANAD Industrial (Saudi Arabia)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 12 November 2025MoU signed in Riyadh with support from KOTRA's Global Branch Program to establish a joint venture for UAV manufacturing and localization. ~8,000 sqm manufacturing facility planned. Initial focus on assembly and local production of Airbility's AB-U60 high-speed eVTOL UAV. Future expansion to development and production of medium-to-large UAVs with hybrid propulsion. Aligned with Saudi Arabia's Vision 2030 industrial diversification goals.
• CT Group / CT UAV (Vietnam)coreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing Partner · 14 August 2025Strategic MoU for future air mobility business collaboration. CT UAV (Vietnam's largest UAV manufacturer) will produce 5,000 UAVs including Airbility's AB-U60 under OEM model, handling distribution, sales, marketing, customer support, and maintenance in Vietnam and key ASEAN markets. Cooperation includes joint development of high-speed eVTOL UAV platforms, AAM technology demonstration projects, exclusive distribution networks, and pilot/maintenance engineer training programs. Facilitated by KILSA Global.
• Prenue (Korea)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 March 2024MoU for military unmanned aerial system development. Partnership focused on joint development of military UAS capabilities leveraging Airbility's eVTOL technology and Prenue's defense industry expertise.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights8 records

Direct peers

• Archer Aviation: US-based eVTOL developer of the Midnight aircraft, pursuing FAA certification and commercial air taxi launch. Direct competitor in the global manned eVTOL market targeted by Airbility's AB-M1300 program.
• Joby Aviation: US-based eVTOL aircraft developer pursuing FAA type certification for air taxi services. Directly comparable to Airbility's AB-M1300 manned program and operates in the same Advanced Air Mobility category. Both target tilt-propulsion architectures and government/civilian dual-use markets.
• EHang: China-based eVTOL autonomous aerial vehicle company with both passenger (EH216-S) and logistics variants. Comparable as a developer of tilt-rotor/multirotor eVTOL platforms for commercial and government applications.
• Vertical Aerospace: UK-based eVTOL aircraft developer (VA-X4) pursuing certification and airline partnerships. Directly comparable to Airbility's AB-M1300 and shares the Advanced Air Mobility peer set highlighted by Airbility's own Red Dot category (previous winner).
• Volocopter: Germany-based eVTOL developer of the VoloCity and larger VoloRegion aircraft. Direct competitor in the urban air mobility and Advanced Air Mobility space with similar tilt/vectored thrust architectures.
• AeroVironment: US-based tactical unmanned aerial systems manufacturer (Switchblade, Puma, Raven) supplying defense and public safety customers. Directly comparable to Airbility's AB-U10 and AB-U60 tactical UAV and counter-drone Capture variant.
• Lilium: Germany-based eVTOL developer of the Lilium Jet, also cited as a past Red Dot winner in the same AAM category as Airbility. Competes head-to-head in the European and global manned eVTOL market that Airbility is entering via its Schübeler EDF partnership.

Broad incumbents

• Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI): South Korea's flagship aerospace manufacturer producing fixed-wing military aircraft (FA-50/T-50 family, KF-21) and rotorcraft. Broad incumbent in domestic Korean defense aerospace market where Airbility is also positioning for defense UAV and counter-drone contracts.
• Supernal (Hyundai Motor Group): Hyundai Motor Group's Advanced Air Mobility subsidiary developing eVTOL aircraft for commercial air taxi service. Broad incumbent competitor with significantly greater capital and corporate backing, particularly relevant given Airbility founders' Hyundai Motor heritage.

Emerging players

• Anduril Industries: US-based defense technology company developing autonomous aerial systems (Roadrunner, Bolt) for counter-UAS and ISR. Emerging player with overlapping counter-drone and AI-driven autonomous UAV capabilities aligned to Airbility's Capture variant and AI Pilot architecture.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@AIRBILITYinc
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/airbility-inc
• Instagraminstagram.com/airbility_

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles6 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds8 records

Investors12 records

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M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Airbility