Samson Sky, the Oregon‑based developer of the Switchblade flying‑car, revealed a major new funding round that brings the company a step closer to building a production‑ready vehicle. The firm has secured an $80 million investment from the Dubai‑based Matin Group, which will be used to establish a U.S. manufacturing facility and finish the development of its hybrid‑electric, road‑to‑air vehicle.
Design improvements and production timeline
The latest Switchblade prototype looks more like a conventional automobile when driven on the road. Its wings, tail and propeller are now fully enclosed inside the body, a change from the earlier version that exposed the flight surfaces. According to CEO and founder Sam Bousfield, the transformation from driving mode to flight mode takes about three minutes, and the vehicle can fit inside a standard garage.
Switchblade does not take off vertically; owners must drive the vehicle to an airport, extend the wings and tail, and then take off from a runway. After landing, the flight hardware folds back into the fuselage, allowing the driver to continue the trip on the road.
Funding and production plans
The $80 million injection from Matin Group will fund the construction of a 180,000‑square‑foot production facility in the United States. Samson Sky has signed a Joint Investment Agreement with Matin Group and is forming a joint venture to manage the plant. While the exact site has not been disclosed, Bousfield said the company is keeping its Oregon R&D center in Prineville and is evaluating three potential locations across the country.
Samson Sky still needs an additional $20 million to fully finance its current production plan. The company aims to have its Builder Assist assembly line ready by summer 2027, with the first year of production focused on customers who have already placed reservations.
Performance specs and pricing
According to the company’s FAQ, the Switchblade targets a maximum airspeed of 190 mph, a cruise speed of 160 mph (still pending verification), and a range of 450 miles in flight. On the road, the vehicle is rated for a top speed of 100 mph. Power comes from a hybrid‑electric drivetrain: a gasoline engine drives a generator that supplies electricity to both the wheels and the propellers. The vehicle holds a 44‑gallon fuel tank and runs on 91‑octane automotive gasoline.
Pricing is expected to start at $200,000 for the VFR (visual‑flight‑rules) version, with an IFR (instrument‑flight‑rules) model priced around $235,000. These figures are subject to change as production ramps up.
Regulatory considerations
Switchblade will be sold as an Experimental Amateur‑Built aircraft, meaning owners must complete at least 51 % of the construction themselves under FAA rules. Samson Sky’s Builder Assist program is designed to guide owners through the required work, which the company estimates can be completed in as little as one week thanks to automated, computer‑driven manufacturing processes.
In addition to the 51 % rule, owners will need a private pilot certificate to operate the vehicle in the air. Ground licensing may vary by state, with some jurisdictions allowing an automobile or motorcycle license for road use.
Why the Switchblade matters
Unlike electric vertical‑take‑off‑and‑landing (eVTOL) air taxis that require dedicated vertiports, the Switchblade uses conventional runways but offers the convenience of a single vehicle that can both drive and fly. For regional trips, this could eliminate the need to rent a car after landing, giving owners a seamless travel experience.
Samson Sky’s progress reflects a broader resurgence of interest in personal aviation and hybrid‑electric technology. With substantial foreign investment and a clear production roadmap, the Switchblade may become one of the first commercially viable road‑to‑air vehicles available to private owners in the United States.
Original reporting: Fox News (HLL/CB) — read the source article.
