XTI Aerospace Collaborates with MagLev Aero on Transformational Electric Propulsion System

Rhea-AI Summary

XTI Aerospace (Nasdaq: XTIA) has announced a strategic technology collaboration with MagLev Aero to evaluate and integrate MagLev's revolutionary HyperDrive™ propulsion system into XTI's future hybrid-electric aircraft platforms. The partnership includes a non-binding pre-order of up to 100 MagLev HyperDrive systems, subject to technical milestones and final agreements.

The MagLev HyperDrive technology utilizes magnetic levitation in a tip-driven ducted fan system, designed to enhance system efficiency by eliminating rim drive friction. This collaboration aims to develop aircraft with improved speed, range, reliability, and noise reduction capabilities for both military and civilian UAV applications.

Positive

• Non-binding pre-order agreement for up to 100 MagLev HyperDrive propulsion systems
• Potential for enhanced aircraft efficiency and performance through magnetic levitation technology
• Technology could enable expansion into new customer segments and mission types

Negative

• Agreement is non-binding and contingent on multiple technical and integration milestones
• Technology is unproven, as magnetic levitation has not been used in operational aircraft propulsion before

Insights

Aerospace Engineering Expert

XTI-MagLev partnership signals potential revolutionary advancement in electric aircraft propulsion technology, though commercial implementation remains years away.

This collaboration between XTI Aerospace and MagLev Aero represents a potentially significant technological advancement in the electric aviation space. The core innovation—MagLev's HyperDrive propulsion system—utilizes magnetic levitation in a tip-driven ducted fan configuration to eliminate friction losses that plague conventional electric propulsion systems.

From an engineering perspective, this approach addresses several critical limitations in current electric aircraft designs. By magnetically levitating the rim drive components, the system potentially offers substantial efficiency improvements over conventional electric motors and propellers. This could translate to meaningful gains in range, payload capacity, and overall performance—particularly important for XTI's hybrid-electric TriFan aircraft and UAV development programs.

The technical challenges shouldn't be underestimated, however. Magnetic levitation systems typically require precise tolerances, sophisticated control systems, and careful thermal management. These complexities likely explain why the announcement emphasizes a phased evaluation approach with specific technical milestones before any firm commitments.

The non-binding pre-order for 100 units suggests XTI sees significant potential, but the conditional nature highlights the technical uncertainties. If successful, this technology could significantly enhance XTI's competitive position, particularly in the military and civilian UAV markets where efficiency, noise reduction, and reliability are paramount considerations. The collaboration represents an innovative approach to addressing the persistent challenges of electric aviation, though significant technical validation remains before commercial implementation.

ENGLEWOOD, Colo., July 3, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- XTI Aerospace, Inc. (Nasdaq: XTIA) ("XTI" or the "Company"), a pioneer in xVTOL and powered-lift aircraft solutions, today announced a technology collaboration with MagLev Aero Inc. ("MagLev"), the developer of a revolutionary, magnetically levitated electric propulsion platform. XTI is evaluating innovative powertrain solutions to meet the needs of high-value, long-range aviation missions for military and civilian markets with unmanned aircraft vehicles (UAV).

The goal of the collaboration is to advance solutions that can dramatically enhance aircraft speed, range, reliability, noise profile, and vertical lift performance. Under the terms of the memorandum of understanding ("MOU") between XTI Aircraft Company, a subsidiary of XTI, and MagLev, the two companies will jointly evaluate the integration of MagLev's proprietary MagLev HyperDrive™ propulsion technology into XTI's future hybrid-electric aircraft architectures. Additionally, the MOU includes a non-binding pre-order for up to 100 MagLev HyperDrive propulsion systems, contingent upon successful completion of technical and integration milestones, execution of final commercial agreements and successful integration of MagLev's technology into the Company's aircraft and/or unmanned drone designs.

"Part of our product road map includes a piloted, hybrid-electric version of the TriFan as well as unmanned aerial vehicles," said Scott Pomeroy, Chairman and CEO of XTI. "We believe the MagLev innovations can enable us to produce drones that are significantly more efficient than existing market offerings, allowing them to fly more mission types and, in turn, to capture more customer segments."

The Future of Flight: Vertical, Quieter, and Faster

The MagLev HyperDrive is a transformative electric propulsion system that uses a tip-driven ducted fan system aimed to dramatically increase system efficiency through magnetic levitation to stabilize and eliminate rim drive friction. With the ability to scale across aircraft sizes and mission profiles, the MagLev HyperDrive is being designed to enable ultra-quiet, high-speed, and low-maintenance propulsion for a wide range of applications.

"Magnetic levitation has not been used in operational aircraft propulsion before, and we believe MagLev and XTI are the right partners to push the boundaries of what's possible in aerospace," said Ian Randall, Co-Founder, President and CEO of MagLev. "Our MagLev HyperDrive was developed to unlock new capabilities for electric flight —enhancing speed, safety, and sustainability — and we are excited to work with XTI to bring these advancements to life."

The MOU sets forth a non-binding set of objectives to guide the collaboration between the two companies.

About MagLev Aero

MagLev Aero Inc. (MagLevAero.com) is pioneering electric propulsion solutions that leverage magnetic levitation to transform how aircraft are powered and operated. Its MagLev HyperDrive™ platform eliminates mechanical drag to enable a new generation of ultra-quiet, high-efficiency electric aircraft for urban, regional, and commercial applications.

About XTI Aerospace, Inc.

XTI Aerospace, Inc. (XTIAerospace.com) (Nasdaq: XTIA) is the parent company of XTI Aircraft Company, an aviation business based near Denver, Colorado, currently developing the TriFan 600, a fixed-wing business aircraft designed to have the vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) capability of a helicopter, maximum cruising speeds of over 300 mph and a range of 1,000 miles, creating an entirely new category – the xVTOL. Additionally, the Inpixon (inpixon.com) business unit of XTI is a leader in real-time location systems (RTLS) technology with customers around the world who use the Company's location intelligence solutions in factories and other industrial facilities to help optimize operations, increase productivity, and enhance safety. For more information about XTI, please visit XTIAerospace.com and follow XTI on LinkedIn, Instagram, X, and YouTube.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains certain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Exchange Act. All statements other than statements of historical fact contained in this press release, including without limitation, statements about the objectives and expected benefits and synergies of the MOU and XTI's proposed collaboration with MagLev, the products under development by XTI, the advantages of XTI's and MagLev 's technology, and XTI's and MagLev 's customers, plans and strategies are forward-looking statements.

Some of these forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of forward-looking words, including "believe," "continue," "could," "would," "will," "estimate," "expect," "intend," "plan," "target," "projects," or the negatives of these terms or variations of them or similar expressions. All forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties, and other factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. All forward-looking statements are based upon estimates, forecasts, and assumptions that, while considered reasonable by XTI and its management, are inherently uncertain, and many factors may cause the actual results to differ materially from current expectations, which include, but are not limited to, the fact that the MOU and the pre-order are non-binding and there is no certainty that XTI and MagLev will negotiate and execute any definitive agreements with respect to the subject matter of the MOU, on the terms currently contemplated by the MOU, or at all, and/or place an order with MagLev. XTI undertakes no obligation to revise any forward-looking statements in order to reflect events or circumstances that might subsequently arise. Readers are urged to carefully review and consider the risk factors discussed from time to time in XTI's filings with the SEC, including those factors discussed under the caption "Risk Factors" in its most recent annual report on Form 10-K, filed with the SEC on April 15, 2025, and in subsequent reports filed with or furnished to the SEC.

Contacts
General inquiries:
XTI Aerospace	MagLev Aero
Email: contact@xtiaerospace.com	Email: contact@maglevaero.com
Web: https://xtiaerospace.com/contact/	Web: https://maglevaero.com
Investor Relations:
XTI Aerospace	MagLev Aero
XTI: Dave Gentry, CEO	MagLev Aero:  Ian Randall, CEO
RedChip Companies, Inc.	MagLev Aero
Phone: 1-407-644-4256	Email: contact@maglevaero.com
Email: XTIA@redchip.com

 

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SOURCE XTI Aerospace, Inc.

FAQ

What is the partnership between XTI Aerospace (XTIA) and MagLev Aero?

XTI Aerospace and MagLev Aero have formed a technology collaboration to evaluate and integrate MagLev's HyperDrive™ propulsion system into XTI's future hybrid-electric aircraft, with a non-binding pre-order for up to 100 propulsion systems.

How does the MagLev HyperDrive technology work in XTI Aerospace's aircraft?

The MagLev HyperDrive uses a tip-driven ducted fan system with magnetic levitation to eliminate rim drive friction, aiming to improve system efficiency, speed, and noise reduction in aircraft propulsion.

What are the potential benefits of XTIA's MagLev propulsion integration?

The integration aims to enhance aircraft speed, range, reliability, and noise profile, while enabling more efficient drone operations for various mission types and customer segments.

What are the conditions for XTI Aerospace's MagLev HyperDrive order?

The pre-order is non-binding and contingent on successful completion of technical milestones, integration success, and execution of final commercial agreements.

When will XTI Aerospace implement the MagLev technology?

The implementation timeline is not specified, as the agreement is currently a non-binding MOU that sets objectives for future collaboration and integration.