Archer Aviation to Acquire Three Boeing Subsidiaries in Aviation Expansion

Archer Aviation is set to acquire three Boeing subsidiaries as it expands its electric air-taxi, autonomous-flight and defense capabilities.

Archer Aviation is expanding beyond electric air taxis through a deal to acquire three Boeing subsidiaries. [Photo: Archer X]

The deal would add businesses that generate more than $200 million in annual revenue, Kit Norton and Janet H. Cho reported for Barron’s Daily.

Archer has agreed to acquire Boeing subsidiaries Wisk Aero, SkyGrid and Insitu. Wisk Aero develops autonomous air-taxi technology, Insitu makes unmanned aircraft, and SkyGrid provides air-traffic management software.

Archer's electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft remains on track for flights this year.

Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has focused on stabilizing the company's core commercial-aircraft and defense businesses while divesting noncore operations. Boeing will retain access to Wisk's autonomous-flight technology under the agreement.

Archer and its peers are moving toward the commercialization of air-taxi services. The Boeing deal comes a month after Archer unveiled a jointly developed autonomous hybrid eVTOL platform with Anduril.

The platforms are called Thunder for defense missions and Halo for commercial applications.