GKN Aerospace and Archer announce expanded collaboration for manufacture of key airframe components in the UK

GKN Aerospace today announced a collaboration with Archer Aviation Inc. focused on the manufacture and supply of key airframe components for Archer’s Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft in the UK. The partnership supports Archer’s production ramp phase and reinforces both companies’ commitment to advancing sustainable aviation.

Midnight is Archer’s piloted electric air taxi designed to carry up to four passengers while producing less noise and emissions than a traditional helicopter. Midnight is built with redundant systems across the aircraft—including 12 total engines and propellers—allowing Archer to target similar levels of safety as commercial airliners.

GKN Aerospace will utilise and build on its extensive experience in lightweight aerostructures, wing technologies, and electrical systems to support the manufacture and supply of Midnight’s wing. This work expands the existing collaboration between Archer and GKN Aerospace, through which it has supplied Midnight’s low voltage Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS) since 2023 from the Netherlands. These components are critical to the aircraft’s performance, safety, and manufacturability as Archer prepares for commercial launch.

The collaboration will leverage GKN Aerospace advanced manufacturing technologies to ensure the wing structure meets the stringent performance and certification requirements. Work has been underway at GKN Aerospace UK’s Global Technology Centre in Bristol and across its European sites for over a year.

GKN Aerospace is a global leader in aerostructures and EWIS, serving major aerospace OEMs and Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) platforms. This partnership with Archer reflects GKN Aerospace’s commitment to supporting the next generation of sustainable aviation technologies.

"We’re delighted to expand our collaboration with Archer on the groundbreaking Midnight electric aircraft, building on our world-leading airframe technology and EWIS expertise. This partnership will help the eVTOL market continue to move from the R&D to industrialisation phase, and we are excited to help usher in the future of flight." - John Pritchard, President, Civil Airframes, GKN Aerospace