Heart Aerospace, the Swedish hybrid-electric aircraft manufacturer, has announced it is relocating its corporate headquarters from Gothenburg, Sweden, to Los Angeles, California. The strategic shift aims to support the development and testing of its forthcoming aircraft prototypes, particularly the experimental Heart X1 and the future X2 model.
The company's X1 prototype, which is scheduled for its first flight in 2025, represents a critical step in Heart's technological progress. Building on the lessons learned from the X1, the X2 will incorporate advanced systems that are being developed in-house. These include key components such as batteries, actuation systems, software, and hybrid-electric hardware—highlighting Heart Aerospace's commitment to vertical integration and continuous refinement.
Co-founder and CEO Anders Forslund commented, “Our move to Los Angeles marks a new chapter in Heart Aerospace's journey—one that prioritises iterative development and deeper vertical integration.” He emphasised that the company's strategy is to enhance its technical capabilities by bringing critical technologies under one roof, enabling more agile design and testing cycles.
This transition is backed by robust financial support. Following a successful US$107 million Series B funding round in 2024, Heart recently secured an additional US$40 million in investment. As part of its consolidation strategy, the company will close its operations in Sweden to concentrate resources on expanding its U.S.-based team.
Forslund added, “We are deeply grateful to our team in Sweden… However, as our customers, partners, and investors are increasingly based in the U.S, we see greater opportunity in focusing our resources here.” The move is intended to foster faster development, closer collaboration with stakeholders, and a stronger market presence in the United States.
