French hybrid-electric aviation company Ascendance has signed agreements with Malaysia’s Pen Aviation and Pahang Aerospace City Development to explore the integration of its hybrid-electric propulsion technology into regional aviation applications.
As part of the agreements Pen Aviation will distribute the company’s VTOL aircraft in Southeast Asia and analyze applications for heliport connections. The second partnership with Pahang Aerospace City Development Berhad establishes potential collaboration on manufacturing and flight demonstration activities.
Under the Pen Aviation agreement, the companies will explore integration of Ascendance’s STERNA hybrid-electric propulsion system into locally developed unmanned aerial vehicles. The partnership includes distribution rights for Ascendance’s Atea VTOL aircraft across Southeast Asia and analysis of heliport-to-heliport transportation applications.
The Pahang Aerospace City partnership focuses on establishing operations within Malaysia’s aerospace innovation hub. Potential activities include setting up a hybrid propulsion competence center, co-production facilities, and on-site flight demonstrations.
A location in a Special Economic Zone for the site will provide access to regulatory authorities including the Civil Aviation Authority of Malaysia. Academic collaboration opportunities include potential partnerships with University Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah for engineering support.
“These structuring agreements strengthen our ability to quickly deploy our solutions in strategic markets,” said Jean-Christophe Lambert, CEO and co-founder of Ascendance. “They set the stage for future industrial partnerships and the establishment of high-value collaborations.”
Ascendance already has agreements in place with Southeast Asian companies including a collaboration with PhilJets in the Philippines. That partnership involves 15 letters of intent for Atea aircraft and regional mobility development efforts.
Ascendance’s Sterna hybrid propulsion system combines conventional and electric power for reduced emissions in vertical take-off applications. It is also developing its Atea VTOL aircraft, targeting applications including passenger transport, freight, medical missions, and security operations as an alternative to light helicopters.
The southeast Asia partnerships provide access to a regional market where air traffic growth is projected at over 5% annually through 2040 said Ascendance.
Toulouse-based Ascendance was founded in 2018 and receives support from Bpifrance, France’s national investment bank, and regional development programs.
