Archer Aviation has agreed to acquire Boeing subsidiaries
Wisk Aero,
SkyGrid and
Insitu in a deal that significantly expands its capabilities in autonomous flight, unmanned systems and airspace management, while positioning the company as a major player in physical artificial intelligence (AI) for aerospace and defence.
The transaction, announced jointly by Archer and Boeing, combines technologies spanning electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, autonomous flight systems, uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) and air traffic management software. Boeing will also take a stake in Archer and enter a long-term collaboration and technology-sharing agreement with the company.
The acquisition brings together Archer's aerospace and defence AI platform, known as ZEE, with technologies developed by Wisk, SkyGrid and Insitu. The companies said the combination would create an end-to-end physical AI platform capable of serving commercial aerospace, defence and air traffic management markets.
A key element of the deal is the addition of Insitu, a profitable defence business that generates more than $200 million in annual revenue and operates across 35 countries. Insitu designs and manufactures uncrewed aircraft systems used in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance applications, and has delivered more than 3,500 systems worldwide.
Archer said the acquisition would accelerate its development into a diversified aerospace and defence company while expanding its revenue base. Together, Wisk, SkyGrid and Insitu have accumulated almost two million flight hours, providing a substantial foundation of autonomous flight experience that Archer plans to integrate into its AI-driven aviation technologies.
Adam Goldstein, founder and chief executive officer of Archer, described the deal as transformational for the company.
He said: “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.”
Wisk has spent more than 16 years developing autonomous eVTOL aircraft technology and is understood to be the only company to have designed, built and flown six generations of eVTOL aircraft. The business has conducted more than 1,700 flight tests and developed autonomous flight capabilities based on advanced flight-control computers, sensor suites and radar systems designed for certification in civil and potential defence applications.
SkyGrid brings expertise in aircraft-agnostic air traffic management technology, providing software designed to support the safe integration and operation of automated aircraft within increasingly complex airspace. The company’s platform is intended to provide the digital infrastructure needed for the wider deployment of autonomous and advanced aerial mobility systems.
Under the collaboration agreement, Boeing will retain access to Wisk’s core autonomous flight technologies for use in current and future commercial and defence aircraft programmes. The arrangement enables Boeing to continue benefiting from technologies developed over the past two decades while focusing investment on its core aerospace activities.
Brian Yutko, Boeing vice president of commercial aeroplanes product development, said: “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 capitalises 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.”
The transaction remains subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals under US antitrust requirements. Archer and Boeing expect the deal to complete before the end of 2026.
Pic: The Wisk Aero eVTOL (© Wisk Aero)