Archer acquires Boeing’s autonomy and UAS units

The agreement combines Wisk's autonomous flight technology, SkyGrid's air traffic management systems and Insitu's uncrewed aircraft into Archer's ZEE platform.

Archer Aviation has signed definitive agreements to acquire Boeing's Wisk Aero, SkyGrid and Insitu subsidiaries, bringing together autonomy, electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) and uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) technology developed over two decades.

The three businesses have amassed nearly two million combined flight hours and will be folded into Archer's ZEE artificial intelligence platform, extending its reach across commercial aerospace, defence and air traffic management. Wisk contributes autonomous flight-control technology, SkyGrid a ground-based, aircraft-agnostic air traffic management system and Insitu a UAS portfolio built for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance work.

Under a parallel collaboration and technology-sharing agreement, Boeing will retain rights to Wisk's core autonomy technology for its current and future commercial and defence aircraft, while keeping a stake in Archer.

Adam Goldstein, Archer's founder and chief executive, says: “This is a watershed moment for Archer and the future of physical AI in aerospace and defense. This is the next big step forward in becoming a diversified platform, rapidly growing our revenue base and bringing scale to our business.”

Wisk has designed, built and flown six generations of eVTOL aircraft across more than 1,700 flight tests in 16 years, developing a flight-control computer, sensor suite and radar system intended for certification in civil and potential defence markets. Insitu, which has offices in the US, Australia, the UK and the UAE, has manufactured and fielded more than 3,500 UAS for the armed forces of 35 nations.

The deal is subject to closing conditions including clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act and is expected to close by the end of 2026. Moelis & Company and Fenwick & West are advising Archer, while J.P. Morgan Securities and Mayer Brown are advising Boeing.