Archer Aviation is an electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer that caught our eye when it first unveiled its “Midnight” aircraft in December of 2022.
Since its inception in 2018, Archer Aviation has established working relationships with United Airlines, Stellantis, and the US Air Force. After announcing those partnerships with experts in aviation and high-volume production, Archer shared plans to manufacture the Midnight aircraft at a new US facility in Covington, Georgia.
According to details from Archer Aviation this morning, it has extended its existing partnership with the US Department of Defense (DoD) and, more specifically, entered an execution phase with the Air Force to deliver up to six Midnight eVTOLs.
A newly signed contract worth up to $142 million has Archer sharing additional flight test data and certification-related test reports, pilot training, and help the DoD develop maintenance and repair operations under its AFWERX Agility Prime program. The program, which Archer has been involved in since 2021, has been established to assess the potential of eVTOL technologies.
With today’s purchase of up to six eVTOLs, it appears the Air Force sees potential in vertical flight. Colonel Tom Meagher, the lead for AFWERX Agility Prime programs elaborated:
"It is our mission to ensure the US continues to lead the world in developing and deploying emerging aerospace technology. eVTOL aircraft represent the cusp of the third revolution in aerospace, and these aircraft and their descendants will drive advances in capabilities and efficiency. Our contracts with Archer Aviation provide the US Department of Defense and US Air Force the opportunity to play a role in ensuring from the onset, and as the technology evolves, that we unlock the many benefits these aircraft have to offer the US military."
Source: Archer Aviation