Company Description
Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR) is an aerospace company focused on aircraft manufacturing and the development of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) and related vertical lift technologies. According to company disclosures and press releases, Archer is designing and developing key enabling technologies and aircraft necessary to power the future of aviation, with an emphasis on sustainable air mobility and advanced air mobility (AAM) applications.
Archer’s activities span the design and development of eVTOL aircraft for urban air mobility, hybrid-propulsion vertical lift platforms for dual-use commercial and defense missions, and proprietary electric powertrain systems. The company has described its flagship Midnight aircraft as a piloted eVTOL designed to carry four passengers and perform rapid, back-to-back trips with minimal charge time between flights, with the potential to replace longer car commutes with shorter electric air taxi flights.
Business focus and technology
Based on the available information, Archer’s business centers on:
- eVTOL aircraft development for urban air taxi networks and advanced air mobility use cases.
- Hybrid-propulsion, dual-use VTOL platforms intended to address both commercial and military vertical lift needs, including operations in contested airspace.
- Proprietary electric powertrain technology, including battery packs and electric engines optimized for aviation use, which the company has begun supplying to third parties.
- Key enabling technologies such as avionics, control software and, as described in recent announcements, AI-powered aviation systems for safety, airspace integration and autonomy-ready operations.
Archer has stated that it is vertically integrating design and manufacturing of its aviation-grade electric powertrain across a large footprint of manufacturing and test facilities in the United States, applying automation to support reliable and scalable production for both its own aircraft and selected third-party platforms.
Urban air mobility and air taxi networks
According to recent press releases, Archer is working to establish electric air taxi networks in multiple regions. In the United States, the company has outlined plans for an air taxi network in the Miami metropolitan area connecting cities such as Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Boca Raton and West Palm Beach, and for operations in and around Los Angeles. The company has also indicated that its Midnight aircraft is intended to offer electric flights that are designed to be safe, low-noise and cost-competitive with certain ground transportation options.
Archer has described its role as the Official Air Taxi Provider of the 2028 Olympic Games in connection with an application to the U.S. Department of Transportation’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program (eIPP) in partnership with the City of Huntington Beach, California. The company’s applications under the eIPP involve proposed public-private partnerships with cities in California, Texas, Florida, Georgia and New York to support early air taxi operations, local operations teams and infrastructure for eVTOL flights.
Advanced Air Mobility and regulatory engagement
Archer’s disclosures emphasize active engagement with regulators and government agencies on Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). In the United States, the company has participated in initiatives led by the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), including contributing to the development of a Special Federal Aviation Regulation covering air taxis and engaging with the Advanced Air Mobility Interagency Working Group and the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program.
Internationally, Archer has reported collaboration with aviation authorities and partners in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. In the UAE, the company has conducted an in-country flight test campaign demonstrating Midnight’s full eVTOL flight envelope under local operating conditions, in coordination with the UAE General Civil Aviation Authority and local partners. In Saudi Arabia, Archer has signed an agreement with the General Authority of Civil Aviation to work on a regulatory pathway for eVTOL deployment, including proof-of-concept demonstrations and experimental flights aligned with the Kingdom’s AAM roadmap.
Dual-use and defense-related applications
Archer has described a dual-use vertical lift strategy that spans commercial and defense applications. The company has announced an exclusive collaboration with Karem Aircraft to access key aspects of Karem’s advanced, military-grade rotor and tiltrotor technologies for integration into Archer’s next-generation autonomous, hybrid-propulsion VTOL aircraft. This work is framed as part of a broader effort to modernize certain legacy vertical lift capabilities for the United States and allied militaries.
Archer has also disclosed that it is supplying its proprietary, dual-use electric powertrain technology to third parties. An agreement with Anduril Industries and EDGE Group provides Archer’s powertrain for the Omen Autonomous Air Vehicle system, described as a hover-to-cruise autonomous air vehicle co-developed and co-produced in the United Arab Emirates. This marks the first time Archer has made its powertrain technology available to a third party and introduces an additional revenue stream based on its core technology.
Global partnerships and geographic footprint
From the information provided, Archer’s activities and partnerships span multiple regions:
- In the United States, the company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ACHR and has reported a principal office location in San Jose, California in its SEC filings. It has entered into agreements to acquire control of Hawthorne Airport in the Los Angeles area, with the intent to use it as an operational hub for its planned L.A. air taxi network and as a testbed for AI-powered aviation technologies.
- In the United Arab Emirates, Archer is working with Abu Dhabi Aviation and local authorities under a Launch Edition commercialization program aimed at early commercial operations in Abu Dhabi, supported by flight testing and regulatory collaboration.
- In Saudi Arabia, Archer has signed an agreement with the General Authority of Civil Aviation to accelerate eVTOL deployment and has partnered with The Helicopter Company and Red Sea Global to explore integration of its Midnight aircraft into tourism and mobility operations.
- In the United Kingdom, Archer has announced plans for a UK engineering hub in South West England under its UK subsidiary, Archer Aviation UK Limited, to support work with Anduril UK and GKN Aerospace on programs such as the British Army’s Project NYX and the Ministry of Defence’s Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform programme.
AI and avionics initiatives
Archer has outlined plans to incorporate artificial intelligence technologies into its aviation systems. In collaboration with NVIDIA, the company intends to integrate the NVIDIA IGX Thor platform into future iterations of its aircraft programs. The stated focus areas include enhancing pilot safety and predictive awareness through real-time environmental sensing and flight-path data processing, supporting seamless airspace integration with improved routing logic and dynamic, traffic-aware flight planning, and building autonomy-ready flight control architectures capable of supporting future autonomous and semi-autonomous operations.
The company has indicated that its Hawthorne Airport hub in the Los Angeles area will serve as a test bed for these AI-powered aviation technologies, including AI-powered air traffic and ground operations management, in addition to its role as an operational center for planned air taxi services.
Intellectual property and technology acquisitions
Archer’s SEC filings describe several transactions related to intellectual property and technology assets. The company has entered into an asset purchase agreement to acquire certain intellectual property assets of Overair Inc. and has reported winning a competitive bid process to acquire certain patent assets of Lilium GmbH, subject to customary closing conditions. These transactions are presented as part of Archer’s effort to assemble a technology stack in next-generation VTOL aviation, alongside its collaboration with Karem Aircraft.
Capital markets and corporate structure
Archer Aviation Inc. is a public company with Class A common stock and warrants registered on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols ACHR and ACHR WS, respectively, as disclosed in multiple Form 8-K filings. The company has used shelf registration statements and prospectus supplements to facilitate offerings of Class A common stock and the resale of shares issued in connection with asset acquisitions, license agreements and stock retainer arrangements. It has also conducted a registered direct offering of Class A common stock to institutional investors, with stated uses of proceeds that include funding the acquisition and redevelopment of Hawthorne Airport and general corporate purposes.
Legal and regulatory matters
Archer’s filings reference ongoing and historical legal matters, including a consolidated stockholder class action in the Delaware Court of Chancery related to its business combination with a special purpose acquisition company and a complaint filed by Joby Aero, Inc. alleging trade-secret misappropriation and related claims. The company has stated its intention to defend itself in these matters and has disclosed certain court rulings that have narrowed the scope of claims against some defendants.
FAQs about Archer Aviation Inc. (ACHR)
- What does Archer Aviation Inc. do?
Archer Aviation Inc. is engaged in the design and development of aircraft and key enabling technologies for advanced air mobility, including electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, hybrid-propulsion vertical lift platforms and proprietary electric powertrain systems intended for both commercial and defense-related applications. - On which exchange does Archer Aviation trade and what is its ticker symbol?
According to its SEC filings, Archer’s Class A common stock and warrants are listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbols ACHR and ACHR WS, respectively. - Where is Archer Aviation based?
Form 8-K filings list Archer Aviation Inc. with a principal office in San Jose, California. The company has also reported activities and facilities in other locations, including agreements related to Hawthorne Airport in the Los Angeles area and plans for a UK engineering hub in South West England. - What is Archer’s Midnight aircraft?
Archer has described Midnight as a piloted eVTOL aircraft designed to carry four passengers and perform rapid back-to-back trips with minimal charge time between flights. The company states that Midnight has the potential to replace longer car commutes with shorter electric air taxi flights that are designed to be safe, sustainable, low-noise and cost-competitive with certain ground transportation options. - How is Archer involved in urban air taxi networks?
Press releases indicate that Archer is working with cities and partners to develop air taxi networks, including a planned network in the Miami metropolitan area and operations in and around Los Angeles. The company is also participating in the U.S. Department of Transportation’s eVTOL Integration Pilot Program through applications submitted with multiple U.S. cities. - What role does Archer play in Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) initiatives?
Archer reports working with U.S. federal agencies such as the DOT and FAA on AAM policy and regulatory frameworks and collaborating with international regulators in regions including the UAE and Saudi Arabia. These efforts are aimed at creating pathways for early eVTOL operations and integrating advanced air mobility into existing airspace systems. - Is Archer involved in defense or dual-use programs?
Yes. Archer has announced a dual-use vertical lift strategy that includes collaboration with Karem Aircraft on military-grade rotor and tiltrotor technologies and a powertrain supply agreement with Anduril Industries and EDGE Group for the Omen Autonomous Air Vehicle system. These activities are described as addressing both commercial and defense mission requirements. - What is Archer’s relationship with Hawthorne Airport?
Through a series of agreements disclosed in Form 8-K filings, Archer has agreed to acquire the master lease and certain subleases associated with Hawthorne Airport in the City of Hawthorne, California, and has reported completion of the initial closing for these real estate assets. The company expects the airport to serve as an operational hub for its planned Los Angeles air taxi network and as a testbed for AI-powered aviation technologies. - Does Archer supply technology to third parties?
Archer has announced that it will supply its proprietary dual-use electric powertrain technology to Anduril Industries and EDGE Group for use in the Omen Autonomous Air Vehicle system. This agreement represents the first time the company has made its powertrain technology available to a third party and is described as a new revenue stream. - What types of regulatory filings does Archer make?
As a U.S. public company, Archer files reports and current reports with the SEC, including Form 8-K filings that disclose material events such as capital raises, asset acquisitions, legal developments and significant commercial agreements. It also uses registration statements and prospectus supplements to register offerings and resales of its Class A common stock.