The Boeing Company and Archer Aviation Inc. have announced definitive agreements under which Archer will acquire Boeing’s Wisk Aero, SkyGrid and Insitu subsidiaries. The transaction will combine capabilities developed across autonomy, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS), creating an end-to-end physical AI platform for aerospace and defense.
Wisk, SkyGrid and Insitu have developed autonomous flight technologies that, combined with Archer’s air taxi, UAS and AI technologies, are expected to bring new solutions to the market. The companies have nearly two million combined flight hours and are expected to provide a foundation of autonomous flight capabilities for Archer’s ZEE artificial intelligence platform.
The transaction positions Archer to develop an end-to-end physical AI platform spanning commercial aerospace, defense and air traffic management.
Archer Founder and CEO Adam Goldstein said the transaction represents a significant milestone for the company and the future of physical AI in aerospace and defense. He added that the acquisition is intended to support Archer’s diversification, expand its revenue base and bring greater scale to its business.
In connection with the transaction, Boeing and Archer will enter into a collaboration and technology-sharing arrangement. Under the arrangement, Boeing will retain access to Wisk’s core autonomous flight technology for its current and next-generation commercial and defense aircraft.
The transaction will also allow Boeing to retain strategic upside through its stake in Archer while focusing current and future investments on its core businesses.
Brian Yutko, Boeing Vice President of Commercial Airplanes Product Development, said the transaction will enable Wisk, SkyGrid and Insitu to accelerate capability development and time to market while allowing Boeing to continue benefiting from its investments in these technologies.
Yutko added that the transaction brings together teams and technologies that can support further development across advanced aviation, aerospace, defense and autonomy.
Wisk
Wisk has designed, built and flown six generations of eVTOL aircraft and has accumulated more than 1,700 flight tests. Over the past 16 years, its team has developed autonomous flight capabilities based on a next-generation flight-control computer, sensor suite and radar system designed for certification in civil and potential defense markets.
Insitu
Insitu is a developer and manufacturer of uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions. Its portfolio includes high-performance, cost-effective and resilient VTOL-capable UAS and AI-enabled software solutions.
Insitu’s technologies have supported the armed forces of 35 nations. With offices in the United States, Australia, the United Kingdom and the UAE, the company has manufactured and fielded more than 3,500 UAS and provides operations and support networks across the globe.
SkyGrid
SkyGrid has developed a ground-based, aircraft-agnostic air traffic management solution designed to provide a digital foundation for automated airspace. Its technology supports airspace integration, scalable automation and coordinated traffic management for aviation applications.
Additional details of the transaction are contained in Archer’s Form 8-K filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The transaction remains subject to agreed closing conditions, including the 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, with Fenwick & West LLP serving as outside counsel. J.P. Morgan Securities LLC is serving as financial advisor to Boeing, with Mayer Brown LLP acting as outside counsel.
