Archer Aviation Inc. (ACHR)

Archer is developing the technologies and aircraft for advanced aviation, building a platform to deliver aircraft, technologies and services to commercial and defense customers worldwide. Its main product is Midnight, an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft purpose-built for air taxi operations. Midnight uses a proprietary 12-tilt-6 distributed electric propulsion platform, is designed to carry four passengers plus a pilot, and is optimized for high-frequency trips of around 20 miles with minimal charging time between flights. The company is also developing AI and autonomy technologies to support an air traffic control system.

Archer plans to operate in two areas. Commercial would consist of selling aircraft and related technologies and services, plus direct-to-consumer air taxi services in select metropolitan areas. Defense would consist of selling next-generation aircraft and related technologies for defense applications. Its initial defense product is a dual-use hybrid-electric, autonomous VTOL aircraft being jointly developed with Anduril Industries, which can also be tailored for cargo and medical evacuation. In November 2025, Anduril and EDGE Group chose Archer's electric powertrain for their Omen autonomous air vehicle. Archer also works with the Department of Defense through the Air Force's AFWERX Agility Prime program. In 2025 it acquired Overair's patent portfolio and licensed Karem Aircraft's tiltrotor and rotor technology. It recently acquired control of Hawthorne Municipal Airport near Los Angeles, planned as the hub for its Los Angeles network and for AI-powered aviation technology development.

Archer targets governments, airline operators, infrastructure partners and consumers in the U.S. and abroad. In the U.S., it has applied to the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program with cities in California, Florida, Texas, Georgia and New York. Through its Launch Edition program, it offers aircraft, technologies and services to international customers, led by the United Arab Emirates, where it works with the General Civil Aviation Authority and partners on a vertiport network in Abu Dhabi and beyond. The company cites growing demand in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Asia-Pacific. Midnight is progressing through FAA type certification, which is now in its implementation phase, and Archer holds FAA Part 135, Part 145 and Part 141 certificates. The UAE regulator has moved Midnight into a Restricted Type Certification program.

Archer is scaling production of its aircraft and electric powertrain at a "golden manufacturing line" in Silicon Valley and a high-volume facility in Georgia. It develops key technologies in-house, such as electric and hybrid propulsion, flight control software and composites, and sources other components from U.S. and non-U.S. aerospace suppliers, many already used on certified aircraft. Key raw materials include aluminum and composites. It competes with U.S. and international aerospace and defense companies and, for air taxi services, with cars, ride-sharing, helicopters and charter aircraft. As of December 31, 2025, it had 1,660 workers, including 1,160 full-time employees.