Boeing deal gives Archer a faster growth path beyond air taxis
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Archer Aviation plans to launch air taxi service in time for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles. Image courtesy of Archer
Archer Aviation is buying Boeing subsidiaries Wisk Aero, Insitu and SkyGrid in an all-stock deal that transforms the startup from a largely pre-revenue air taxi developer into a broader aerospace and defense company.
Why it matters: The deal gives Archer something investors have been demanding: revenue today, while reducing its reliance on the still-unproven electric air taxi market.
- For Boeing, the divestiture allows the company to focus on its core commercial airplanes, defense and space operations.
Driving the news: Boeing will receive newly issued shares equal to nearly 20% of Archer's pre-deal share count, giving it roughly a 16% stake immediately after the issuance, Archer CEO Adam Goldstein told Axios in an interview.
- Boeing will also receive warrants to buy additional shares, a seat on Archer's board of directors, and will retain access to Wisk's autonomous flight technology for its current and next-generation commercial and defense aircraft.
Between the lines: The deal is a full-circle moment for Wisk and Archer after a bitter legal battle over trade secrets that began in 2021.
Zoom in: Each asset acquired from Boeing strengthen's Archer's ambitions.
- Insitu adds more than $200 million in annual revenue through its profitable and fast-growing military drone business.
- Wisk adds autonomy, accelerating Archer's quest for self-flying aircraft.
- SkyGrid adds digital air traffic management software needed to safely coordinate autonomous aircraft.
The big picture: Rather than betting solely on urban air taxis, Archer is assembling a portfolio spanning defense drones, autonomy software and commercial aviation — a strategy designed to generate cash today while positioning the company for the longer-term autonomous aviation market.
What they're saying: "If ever two companies could come together in the eVTOL space, it's Archer and Wisk," Goldstein said.
- Both companies' aircraft share design similarities, making integration easier, he explained. "It's really a natural thing for us to come together."
- Former Wisk CEO Brian Yutko, now Boeing's vice president for commercial airplanes product development, called it a "win-win" for both companies.
- "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."
What we're watching: Autonomous aircraft will likely be deployed in defense applications first, Goldstein said, building a safety record that will help the public to eventually accept self-flying air taxis.
- In the meantime, Archer continues to test its air taxis with pilots in preparation for a splashy debut at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
