Boeing Sells Air Taxi Startups to Archer Aviation
Boeing is selling three of its electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) subsidiaries to Archer Aviation and taking an undisclosed stake in the latter company.
Boeing has announced the sale of three of its subsidiaries focused on electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to Archer Aviation. The aerospace giant will also acquire an undisclosed stake in Archer Aviation as part of the transaction.
The subsidiaries being acquired by Archer include Wisk Aero, which has been developing autonomous electric aircraft; SkyGrid, responsible for air traffic management systems for urban air taxis; and Insitu, a manufacturer of high-altitude drones for the U.S. Navy. This deal involves technology sharing between Boeing and Archer.
Boeing will retain access to Wisk's autonomous flight systems, which are intended for use in Boeing's current and future commercial and defense projects. This strategic move comes as the aviation industry increasingly explores electric and autonomous flight technologies.
The transaction is expected to accelerate Archer's development and commercialization of its eVTOL aircraft, while allowing Boeing to maintain a strategic interest and access to key technologies in the burgeoning urban air mobility sector.