The Boeing Company and Archer Aviation Inc. have announced that the companies have signed definitive agreements in which Archer will acquire Boeing’s Wisk Aero, SkyGrid, and Insitu subsidiaries. The deal will combine complementary capabilities developed over decades in autonomy, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) — creating a groundbreaking end-to-end physical AI platform for aerospace and defense.
Wisk, SkyGrid, and Insitu have pioneered and incubated core autonomous flight technologies for the future that, in combination with Archer’s air taxi, UAS, and AI technologies, will bring new and innovative solutions to the market. These companies, with nearly two million combined flight hours, are expected to bring a deep autonomy foundation to Archer’s ZEE artificial intelligence platform. This positions Archer to deliver an end-to-end physical AI platform across commercial aerospace, defense, and air traffic management that can lead the next generation of aviation.
Adam Goldstein, Founder and CEO of Archer, stated:
“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.”
In conjunction with the transaction, Boeing and Archer are entering into a collaboration and technology-sharing arrangement through which Boeing will retain access to the Wisk core autonomous flight technology for its current and next-generation commercial and defense aircraft. The transaction allows Boeing to retain strategic upside through its stake in Archer and simultaneously focus current and future investments into Boeing’s core businesses.
Brian Yutko, Boeing Vice President of Commercial Airplanes Product Development, commented:
“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 through continued development in our core businesses. Having worked with the incredible teams in these companies firsthand, it’s clear this transaction will create an industry leader in the advanced aviation market. We look forward to collaborating with Archer to drive continued innovation in aerospace, defense, and autonomy.”
About the Companies:
Wisk is the only company that has designed, built, and flown six generations of eVTOL aircraft, amassing more than 1,700 flight tests. Over the past 16 years, Wisk’s team has developed autonomy capabilities powered by a next-generation flight-control computer, sensor suite, and radar system designed for certification in both civil and potential defense markets.
Insitu is a pioneer in designing, developing, and manufacturing uncrewed aircraft systems used in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Its product portfolio spans high-performance, cost-effective, resilient, VTOL-capable UAS and AI-enabled software solutions. Insitu’s technologies have helped the armed forces of 35 nations make quicker, more informed decisions. With offices in the U.S., Australia, the U.K., and the UAE, Insitu has manufactured and fielded more than 3,500 UAS and provides operations and support networks in every hemisphere.
SkyGrid has built a leading ground-based, aircraft-agnostic air traffic management solution that establishes the digital foundation for the future of automated airspace. SkyGrid enables safe integration, scalable automation, and coordinated traffic management necessary for commercialisation across the aviation ecosystem.
The transaction remains subject to certain agreed-upon closing conditions, including expiration or termination of the waiting period under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, and is expected to close by the end of 2026. Moelis & Company LLC is acting as financial advisor to Archer, and Fenwick & West LLP is serving as outside counsel. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is serving as financial advisor to Boeing, and Mayer Brown LLP is acting as outside counsel.
