Archer Aviation is expanding its focus to include autonomous flight, air traffic management, and military drones after acquiring three Boeing subsidiaries. The agreement, set to finalize by the end of 2026, will place Wisk Aero, SkyGrid, and Insitu under Archer’s ownership in exchange for an undisclosed equity stake held by Boeing.
Three companies, two million flight hours
The acquired businesses contribute nearly two million flight hours of combined experience. Wisk Aero has spent 16 years developing autonomous electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft and completed over 1,700 test flights. Archer’s own eVTOL, Midnight, will initially operate with a pilot, but Wisk’s technology is expected to lay the groundwork for future autonomous operations.
SkyGrid offers software for automated air traffic management, supporting the integration of autonomous and unmanned aerial vehicles into airspace. Insitu specializes in unmanned aerial systems for reconnaissance and surveillance, delivering over 3,500 systems with annual revenues surpassing $200 million.
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A complicated history, a new partnership
Archer and Wisk’s relationship has had challenges. In 2021, Wisk sued Archer over alleged trade secret theft. The legal dispute ended in 2023 after Boeing invested in Archer, and the two companies began working together on autonomy technologies. Now, Wisk will become part of Archer.
Boeing will not fully exit the arrangement. A separate technology partnership ensures continued access to Wisk’s autonomy advancements, and Boeing will retain a future equity stake in Archer. The deal reflects a growing industry trend where aviation companies combine hardware, software, and infrastructure to build integrated systems—what Archer describes as a “Physical AI” platform for aviation and defense.
Defense takes center stage
Archer’s move into defense is not recent. Since late 2024, the company has collaborated with Anduril on a hybrid VTOL aircraft for military applications and introduced Thunder, an autonomous VTOL drone, in July 2026. The acquisition of Insitu strengthens this focus with its established defense contracts.
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On the commercial side, Archer continues promoting Midnight as its flagship product. In July, it launched the ACES charging infrastructure consortium with BETA Technologies and Macquarie Capital, planning over 250 charging sites across the U.S. by 2030. The company’s future balance between civilian air taxis and autonomous or military systems remains uncertain.
For now, Archer is diversifying its approach. The Boeing deal provides access to proven technologies while distributing risk across multiple revenue streams. Integrating autonomy software, defense drones, and commercial eVTOLs into a unified operation will challenge Archer’s ability to manage complexity.
Regulatory approvals may delay the transaction’s closing, currently expected in late 2026. Until then, the strategy remains in development—one that could transform the aviation industry if executed well.