Flying Vehicle Startup Gets $1M From Air Force; Start of $142M Deal

Flying vehicle startup Archer Aviation has received the first $1 million as part of a $142 million deal with the U.S. Air Force.

The Air Force is working with Archer to assess the eVTOL (vertical takeoff and landing) vehicle market and technologies for Department of Defense purposes.

This first payment relates to a mobile flight simulator for the Air Force and Archer to train pilots and assess flight controls.

“Archer’s eVTOL technology can help maintain the United States’ position as a global leader in aviation,” said Adam Goldstein, Archer CEO and founder. “To see our historic contract with the U.S. Air Force move from signature to execution at a rapid pace is a reflection of the strong commitment that the U.S. Department of Defense has made to securing our country's future by investing in transformational technology.” 

Archer Aviation recently received a new round of funding of $215 million, bringing the total investment in its electric aerial vehicle (EAV) development to $1.1 billion.

That new funding came from investors including Boeing, United Airlines, Stellantis and Ark Investment Management.

The Archer electric aerial vehicle (EAV) is designed to carry 1,000 pounds with a low noise profile.

Archer’s overall agreement includes the delivery of six Archer Midnight aircraft to the Air Force, as an expansion of its partnership with the Department of Defense.

Related:Flying Car Startup Funding Tops $1B; Backed by Boeing, United Airlines

Archer also is working with United Airlines and last year received a $10 million pre-delivery payment from United for 100 aircraft, according to the company.

Archer is not the only eVTOL maker working with the military.

For example, Joby Aviation is working with the U.S. Air Force on advanced aerial mobile technologies.

And aircraft electric charging stations are being installed at Eglin Air Force Base in Florida by Beta Technologies to service a coming test of electric flying vehicles there.

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