NTU Leads Singapore's First eVTOL Development with Pioneer James Wang

The Dawn of Singapore's eVTOL Era at NTU

Nanyang Technological University (NTU), one of Singapore's premier institutions for higher education, has marked a historic milestone by unveiling the nation's first locally designed and built full-sized electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft prototype. This lift-plus-cruise configuration features an impressive eight-metre wingspan, with eight wing-mounted electric lift rotors enabling vertical operations from tight urban spaces and a rear pusher proprotor for efficient forward flight. Developed under strict secrecy over more than three years, the prototype represents a leap forward in urban air mobility (UAM), blending the hovering prowess of helicopters with the range and speed of fixed-wing aircraft. 83 84

The project underscores NTU's role in fostering cutting-edge research within Singapore's higher education landscape, where engineering students and recent graduates transitioned rapidly into aerospace innovators. This achievement not only highlights academic prowess but also aligns with Singapore's push to expand beyond its established strengths in aerospace maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) into full aircraft design and production.

Prof James Wang: The Visionary Pioneer Behind NTU's eVTOL Push

At the helm is Professor James Wang, a Professor (Practice) in NTU's School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering and Director of the NTU eVTOL Research and Innovation Centre. Dubbed the "Steve Jobs of Rotorcraft" by WIRED Magazine, Wang brings unparalleled expertise from his career at Sikorsky Aircraft and AgustaWestland (now Leonardo Helicopters). He contributed to iconic programs like the Comanche, Black Hawk, and S-92 helicopters before leading the groundbreaking Project Zero—the world's first all-electric VTOL technology demonstrator unveiled at the 2013 Paris Air Show. 82

Educated at MIT (dual bachelor's in Aeronautical and Electrical Engineering) and the University of Maryland (master's and PhD in Aerospace Engineering), Wang also holds an MBA from MIT Sloan and executive training from Imperial College London. His accolades include Fellow of the Royal Aeronautical Society, AHS Grover Bell Award, and NASA's Research Award. Recruited by NTU in 2019, Wang established the eVTOL Centre to build end-to-end capabilities, famously declaring, "If you can dream it, you can build it." 83

Wang's leadership transformed a team of about 30 fresh NTU graduates—lacking prior eVTOL experience—into experts through rigorous coaching on system integration, from design to flight readiness. This hands-on approach exemplifies how Singapore's universities are bridging academia and industry, preparing graduates for high-demand roles in emerging technologies.

From Concept to Prototype: The Secret Three-Year Journey

The NTU eVTOL initiative kicked off around 2021, building on the Centre's foundation five years prior. The team evaluated over two dozen configurations, opting for a lift-plus-cruise design to balance innovation with feasibility—avoiding complex tilting mechanisms while enabling scalable data collection. Key specs include NTU-designed electric motors for the lift rotors, distributed electric propulsion for redundancy, and a focus on controllability for safe urban operations. 84

Under non-disclosure agreements (NDAs) so tight that team members joked about not telling their pets, the project remained hidden even from government ministries. Development involved iterative prototyping up to the eight-metre span, with innovations like separating lift and cruise functions to simplify transitions. Programme Manager Dr. Christine Teh recalled the first tethered hover at Kranji: "Some team members cried—it made everything real."

Milestones in Testing: From Kranji to Germany

Initial validation came via short tethered hovers in Singapore's Kranji restricted area in September 2025, confirming vertical lift, motor performance, power distribution, and flight controls. Facing shipping hurdles for the full prototype, the team pivoted to quarter-scale model tests at Germany's DLR (German Aerospace Center), assessing hover stability, transition dynamics, and system interactions. 80

• Tethered hovers validated core VTOL mechanics in confined spaces.
• Quarter-scale tests gathered data on scalability for full-size (projected 14m wingspan).
• Avionics and software designed for future autonomy and certification.

These steps de-risked the design, positioning NTU's work ahead of global peers awaiting FAA/EASA approvals expected post-2027.

Photo by Gem Lyn on Unsplash

Government Funding and Strategic Partnerships Fueling Innovation

Funded by the National Research Foundation's (NRF) Industry Alignment Fund – Pre-Positioning (IAF-PP) under the S$25 billion Research, Innovation and Enterprise 2025 (RIE2025) plan, the project exemplifies Singapore's commitment to RIE-driven higher education research. IAF-PP targets pre-competitive tech development, aligning perfectly with eVTOL's ecosystem needs. 81

A constellation of partners accelerated progress: Eaton Aerospace (systems), Syensqo and Diab (composites), A*STAR (manufacturing/simulation), DLR/AVL (testing), and others like Embention (flight controls) and Republic Polytechnic (talent). Prof. Lim Keng Hui of A*STAR noted: "We're building critical capabilities for Singapore’s aerospace ambitions."NTU eVTOL Announcement

This tripartite model—university, industry, government—strengthens Singapore's higher ed ecosystem, creating pipelines for research jobs and fostering spin-offs.

Technical Innovations Redefining Urban Air Mobility

eVTOLs promise to alleviate Singapore's land constraints, enabling intracity hops (e.g., Changi to CBD in minutes) and intercity cargo. NTU's design prioritizes safety via redundancy, low noise for urban ops, and zero emissions. Step-by-step transition: rotors lift to hover, pusher activates for forward tilt, lift rotors idle in cruise—reducing complexity versus tilt-rotors.

Future iterations target four passengers plus pilot or 500kg cargo, with scalability baked in. As Wang eyes commercialization by 2035, when UAM markets mature, NTU positions Singapore universities as leaders in sustainable aviation.Aviation Week Coverage

Empowering the Next Generation in Higher Education

What sets NTU's effort apart is its youth focus: fresh graduates handled end-to-end integration, gaining irreplaceable skills in a field with global talent shortages. This mirrors Singapore's higher ed strategy, where programs like NTU's aerospace engineering produce job-ready pros for university jobs and industry.

Stakeholders praise the model: NTU VP (Industry) Prof. Lam Khin Yong highlighted ecosystem integration, while VP (Innovation) Prof. Louis Phee aims for commercial eVTOLs "in our airspace and beyond." For students, it's actionable: pursue aerospace degrees, intern via RIE funds, launch careers via NTU networks.

Broader Impacts on Singapore's Aerospace and Higher Ed Landscape

Singapore, already Asia's MRO hub (employing 20,000+), eyes UAM as its next frontier amid dense urbanization. NTU's prototype catalyzes this, potentially spawning startups and attracting FDI. Challenges like certification and infrastructure persist, but solutions emerge: regulatory sandboxes, vertiports at MRTs.

In higher ed, it elevates NTU's global rank (top 10 young unis), boosts enrollment in STEM, and inspires peers like NUS/SMU. Multi-perspective: industry gains talent, government advances RIE2025, students access higher ed career advice.

Photo by K8 on Unsplash

Future Horizons: Commercialization and Global Leadership

Next: untethered flights, full-scale build, spin-off company. Wang envisions Southeast Asian dominance, with eVTOLs transforming logistics in megacities. For academics, opportunities abound in faculty positions, postdocs, and grants.

Optimistic outlook: by 2030, Singapore's UAM network operational, powered by uni-led innovation. Explore openings at AcademicJobs.com higher ed jobs, rate profs at Rate My Professor, and gear up with career advice.