Archer acquires Wisk Aero and two other Boeing subsidiaries

Archer Aviation is acquiring three Boeing subsidiaries—Wisk Aero, SkyGrid, and Insitu—in one deal. This eVTOL developer is expanding its business to include technologies for autonomous flight, air traffic management, and unmanned systems. Boeing, in turn, will gain a stake in Archer.

The planned transaction involves three companies with distinct focuses, collectively boasting nearly two million flight hours. Completion of the deal is expected by the end of 2026, subject to regulatory approvals. Financial details, including the purchase price and the extent of Boeing’s future stake in Archer, have not been disclosed.

According to Aerotelegraph, Archer’s core business in electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft—particularly Wisk Aero—is relevant here. The company has been developing autonomous eVTOLs for 16 years and claims to have completed over 1,700 test flights. Archer’s own vertical takeoff aircraft, Midnight, is currently operated with a pilot, but by incorporating Wisk’s technology, the company is acquiring additional capabilities for potential autonomous operation. SkyGrid, on the other hand, provides software for automated air traffic management that supports the integration of autonomous and unmanned aircraft into airspace.

Archer and Wisk have a prior history: in 2021, Wisk sued the competitor for alleged theft of trade secrets. The dispute was resolved in 2023, after which Boeing invested in Archer, and the two parties agreed to collaborate on autonomy technologies. Now, Wisk is fully joining Archer’s fold.

Archer expanding its business beyond eVTOLs

With Insitu, the transaction gains an additional dimension. The company specializes in unmanned aerial vehicles, particularly for reconnaissance and surveillance tasks, has delivered over 3,500 systems, and is profitable with annual revenues exceeding $200 million according to the involved companies. This aligns with Archer’s growing involvement in the defense sector: the company has been working with Anduril since late 2024 on a hybrid VTOL aircraft for military applications and introduced an autonomous VTOL aircraft called Thunder in July 2026. Meanwhile, Archer is also advancing the commercial use of electric aircraft: in July, the company announced the ACES charging infrastructure consortium alongside BETA Technologies and Macquarie Capital, which aims to deploy more than 250 locations in the U.S. by 2030.

This significantly broadens Archer’s strategy: Midnight remains the electric aircraft, Wisk and SkyGrid provide autonomy and air traffic management, Insitu offers an established drone business, and ACES handles the charging infrastructure. However, whether and how quickly these can be integrated into commercial eVTOL operations still depends on progress in certification and market rollout.

Boeing is not withdrawing completely: A separately agreed technology partnership ensures the company continues to have access to Wisk’s technologies, and Boeing will also go on to be involved with Archer. Archer itself describes the combination of autonomy, eVTOLs, drones, and software as the foundation for a “Physical AI” platform for aviation and defense. With this deal, Archer evolves from a manufacturer focused primarily on electric air taxis into a more diversified aviation company. At the same time, it remains unclear what role the civilian eVTOL business will play compared to the growing business in autonomous and military systems.