Archer Takes Flight: Aviation Pioneer Acquires Boeing's Autonomous Portfolio

Archer Aviation has made a major acquisition, purchasing Boeing's subsidiaries Wisk Aero, Insitu, and SkyGrid in a deal worth significant assets and equity. The transaction marks a turning point for Archer, transforming it from an air-taxi hopeful to a diversified aerospace-and-defense player.

Wisk Aero is the crown jewel of autonomous flight, with 1,700+ flight tests over sixteen years. Insitu, on the other hand, has a combat-proven track record, generating $200M+ in revenue annually from its work with the armed forces of 35 nations. SkyGrid provides the connective tissue, offering ground-based air-traffic software to safely manage swarms of autonomous aircraft.

Boeing's decision to sell these subsidiaries is part of a broader strategy to focus on core airplane and defense programs. The deal will allow Boeing to capitalize on its long-running investments while retaining access to Wisk's core autonomous-flight technology through a tech-sharing arrangement.