Anduril Industries UK and Archer, Supported by Skyports Drone Services and AtkinsRéalis, Team Up to Test Dual-Use eVTOL Cargo Aircraft in UK Market

LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Anduril Industries UK today is announcing that it will lead a team for upcoming programmes, including to bid for future flight opportunities. Anduril UK, building on its existing partnership with aerospace company Archer, will receive additional support from Skyports Drone Services and AtkinsRéalis, two other leading technology companies.

Together, Anduril and its partners will explore civil and defence applications in the UK using Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft. This includes explorations for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, enabling low-emission, rapid-response logistics to support a wide range of UK-focused civil and military use cases, including cargo.

Anduril will serve as the lead systems integrator incorporating software-defined mission autonomy, communications, and command-and-control systems tailored for UK operational needs. Archer will act as the platform provider, adapting Archer’s Midnight platform for dual-use applications and continuing its work with Anduril on the planned hybrid aircraft.

This also marks Anduril bringing in Archer’s VTOL technologies to the UK market, furthering investment, job creation and competition to strengthen the UK’s capabilities in aviation and defence, and furthering Anduril UK’s commitment to UK Defence and wider economic growth. The group will also continue work together on Archer and Anduril’s previously announced hybrid-propulsion VTOL aircraft.

This approach to air system design and development will be supported by AtkinsRéalis’ deep expertise in safely and efficiently incorporating novel aviation technologies into UK airspace – AtkinsRéalis was recently appointed as the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) first approved assessor of commercial drones.

Skyports Drone Services complements this with its own extensive operational experience, having delivered numerous beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) campaigns for major clients including the NHS and Royal Mail. In 2024, it took part in The Royal Navy Heavy Lift Challenge, showcasing the efficacy of dual-use aircraft.

By combining the latest advancements in eVTOL aircraft development, software-defined systems integration, regulatory expertise and operational delivery, this team is well-positioned to support the UK’s ambition to become a global leader in aviation technologies.

Dr Rich Drake, Managing Director of Anduril UK, said, “The UK has clear ambitions both for innovation and growth, as well as to continue its leadership in advanced air mobility. This partnership brings together Archer’s leading eVTOL technology, Skyports’ infrastructure expertise and AtkinsRéalis’ safety systems in order to support future flight projects, accelerating VTOL and BVLOS developments. It also unlocks opportunities in defence and civil domains, including rapid, low-emission urban transport and surveillance capabilities for defence applications. Introducing Archer to the UK, alongside experienced local partners, marks a step forward in delivering integrated air mobility.”

Verity Richardson, Head of Business Development, UK, at Archer, said, “This team marks the next phase of our partnership with Anduril. There’s an incredible amount of opportunity here in the UK and worldwide to deploy dual-use advanced aircraft and we look forward to making it a reality.”

Alex Brown, Director of Skyports Drone Services, said, “The UK Government is making strong progress in enabling permanent BVLOS drone operations so partnering with Anduril and Archer is a natural step, as we onboard more advanced aircraft and increase our payload and range capabilities. Our first project on cargo services will lay the groundwork for other applications with significant value, such as surveillance and search and rescue.”

David Clark, Global Head of Aerospace & Defence, AtkinsRéalis, said, “Leveraging our experience in novel aircraft design and emerging regulatory frameworks, AtkinsRéalis will be supporting the team to safely integrate automated uncrewed aircrafts into the UK’s skies. The combination of local expertise with investment from industry leaders like Archer and Anduril will strengthen the UK's position at the forefront of the future of flight.”

Anduril UK’s software-focused approach to product development enables it to deploy new systems on compressed timelines, fielding several dual-use military capabilities, most notably providing the Ghost autonomous uncrewed air system to the UK MOD. The programme would further demonstrate Anduril UK’s commitment to engineering and manufacturing scalable technologies in the UK, building on current approaches, and bringing further investment and job creation.

Over the past two years, AtkinsRéalis and Skyports have been demonstrating the feasibility of an eVTOL ecosystem in the UK, as members of the Advanced Mobility Ecosystem Consortium, which is supported by the Future Flight Challenge Phase 3. This consortium is developing key technology and infrastructure, and exploring key aspects of the passenger journey, vehicle operation, airspace navigation, ground charging, and local stakeholder engagement.

About Anduril Industries UK

Anduril has been operating in the UK since 2019, securing contracts with UK MOD and wider UK Government. They have rapidly expanded their UK footprint from four to more than 40 in two years and intend to double again in the next twelve months, focusing on high-value technology manufacturing. Anduril UK is committed to strengthening sovereign UK defence capabilities by investing in R&D, autonomous systems, and AI-enabled Command-and-Control platforms - all essential to delivering the UK's vision of a resilient and innovative defence sector. For more information, visit www.anduril.com.

About Archer

Archer is designing and developing the key enabling technologies and aircraft necessary to power the future of aviation. To learn more, visit www.archer.com.

About Skyports Drone Services

Skyports Drone Services is the world’s leading drone airline. We are experts in BVLOS flight for delivery and inspection use cases. We partner with maritime and offshore industries, healthcare providers, infrastructure and asset owners, and public bodies to improve connectivity, safety and sustainability with drone operations. Skyports Drone Services is committed to scaling the drone industry to enable businesses and individuals to reap the rewards of drone technology. Skyports’ CEO Duncan Walker Co-Chairs the Future of Flight Industry Group alongside Aviation Minister Mike Kane.

Find out more at: www.skyportsdroneservices.com

About AtkinsRéalis

Created by the integration of long-standing organisations dating back to 1911, AtkinsRéalis is a world-class engineering services and nuclear company dedicated to engineering a better future for our planet and its people.

News and information are available at www.atkinsrealis.com or follow us on LinkedIn.

Archer Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward looking statements regarding Archer’s future business plans and expectations, including statements regarding Archer's business strategy, products, and technology, as well as plans and objectives of management for future operations. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors. The risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are more fully detailed in Archer’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K available at www.sec.gov. In addition, please note that any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that Archer believes to be reasonable as of the date of this press release. Archer undertakes no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events.

Source: Archer
Text: ArcherIR

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250519795026/en/

For more information please contact Anduril UK

Victoria Mackarness

Victoria@VRMAdvisory.co.uk

+44 7852 128075

Source: Archer Aviation