In a transformative move for the aerospace and defense sector, US-based autonomous flight pioneer Archer Aviation has announced an agreement to acquire three key subsidiaries from Boeing.
Under the terms of the deal, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) developer Wisk Aero, uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) manufacturer Insitu, and air traffic management platform SkyGrid will fully integrate into Archer. In parallel, Boeing will acquire an equity stake in Archer and maintain a strategic technology collaboration on autonomous flight systems.
Uniting Two Million Flight Hours of Field Experience
Combining the three entities brings nearly two million flight hours of operational experience under Archer’s roof, establishing a comprehensive "physical AI" platform spanning commercial aviation, defense operations, and airspace management.
The acquired companies bring distinct domain expertise:
Wisk Aero: With six generations of eVTOL aircraft designed and over 1,700 flight tests completed, Wisk develops certifiable autonomous flight-control computers and sensor suites for civil and defense applications.
Insitu: A veteran in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), Insitu has manufactured and fielded more than 3,500 uncrewed aircraft systems across 35 national armed forces.
SkyGrid: Focused on automated airspace integration, SkyGrid builds ground-based, aircraft-agnostic software solutions to manage future high-density air traffic.
Targeting Completion by Late 2026
The agreement ensures Boeing retains access to Wisk’s core autonomous flight IP for deployment across its commercial and defense aircraft programs. Subject to customary regulatory approvals, the transaction is expected to close by the end of 2026.
Adam Goldstein, Founder and CEO of Archer:
This is a watershed moment for Archer and the future of physical AI in aerospace and defense. This is the next big step forward in becoming a diversified platform, rapidly growing our revenue base and bringing scale to our business.
Brian Yutko, Vice President of Commercial Airplanes Product Development at Boeing:
This transaction is a win-win for Boeing and Archer. It allows Wisk, SkyGrid, and Insitu to accelerate capability development and time to market while ensuring Boeing capitalizes on its investments in these technologies over the past two decades.
