ARC Aerosystems

ARC Aerosystems is a UK-based technology company, founded as Samad Aerospace in 2017 by CEO Dr. Seyed Mohseni, an aerospace engineer and entrepreneur. The company, headquartered in Cranfield, focuses on developing a portfolio of sustainable civil aircraft with vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) capabilities to address regional transportation challenges. ARC, which stands for Advanced Regional Connectivity, aims to serve clients in the logistics, emergency services, and regional passenger transport sectors. Its business model involves designing and manufacturing these aircraft, with a strategy that has included acquiring existing intellectual property to accelerate development and certification.

The company's founder, Dr. Seyed Mohseni, transitioned from a childhood dream of building aircraft to studying aerospace engineering at Kingston and Cranfield Universities, specializing in aerospace propulsion. His entrepreneurial journey began at a young age and includes founding Samad Power, which develops small turbogenerators, before he established ARC Aerosystems to focus on regional connectivity.

ARC is developing a range of aircraft. The "Linx P9" is a nine-seater hybrid-electric compound helicopter designed for regional air mobility, combining the versatility of a helicopter with the range and speed of a fixed-wing aircraft. The company is also working on a smaller, three-seat all-electric model, the "Linx P3". A key project is the "Pegasus," a modern version of the 1960s-era Avian Pegasus gyroplane. The company acquired the type certificate for this design, which features jump takeoff and no-roll landing capabilities. This acquisition provides a faster path to market compared to developing a new design from scratch. ARC has also developed unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), including the C-600, a large cargo drone with a 100kg payload capacity, and the smaller C-150. In late 2024, ARC announced plans to sell the C600 program to focus resources on its manned aircraft. The company has received over £10 million in funding from sources including Innovate UK, the British Business Bank, and private investors. More recently, it secured a major partnership with Saudi Arabia's National Industrial Development Centre, which pledged approximately $400 million to back development and establish manufacturing facilities.

Keywords: VTOL aircraft, regional air mobility, hybrid-electric aircraft, sustainable aviation, gyroplane, eVTOL, jump takeoff, aerospace engineering, passenger transport, cargo drone, unmanned aerial vehicle, advanced air mobility, aircraft manufacturing, Pegasus, Linx P9, Linx P3, Seyed Mohseni, C-600, C-150, rotorcraft