In August 2026, Boeing announced a strategic decision to sell three of its subsidiaries involved in the development of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft to the startup Archer Aviation. As part of the deal, Boeing will transfer the Wisk Aero, SkyGrid, and Insitu assets to Archer Aviation and acquire a stake in Archer Aviation. This decision will allow Boeing to focus on its core aviation business, which currently includes an order book of more than 6,200 aircraft worth approximately $715 billion.
Asset Transfer and Expansion of Archer Aviation's Capabilities
The assets transferring to Archer Aviation will include Wisk Aero, a company developing autonomous electric aircraft; SkyGrid, which creates air traffic management systems for urban air taxis; and Insitu, which produces high-altitude drones used by the U.S. Navy. Boeing will retain access to Wisk's autonomous flight systems for current and future commercial and defense projects. The deal will enable Archer Aviation to expand its technological capabilities and accelerate the launch of commercial air taxis.
Plans to Launch Air Taxi Pilot Services
By the end of 2026, Archer Aviation plans to launch pilot air taxi services in several regions, including New York, Texas, and Florida. The company is also developing a defense division and recently unveiled a new eVTOL created in collaboration with defense developer Anduril, founded by Palmer Luckey. This partnership opens new prospects for the application of eVTOL technology in the defense sector.
History of Cooperation and Conflicts Between Boeing and Archer Aviation
A separate history links Archer Aviation with Wisk Aero, which emerged in 2019 as a joint venture between Boeing and the startup Kitty Hawk to produce air taxis, funded by Google co-founder Larry Page. The company managed to develop, build, and test six generations of eVTOLs, conducting more than 1,700 flights. In 2021, Wisk sued Archer Aviation, accusing it of stealing trade secrets and infringing patents. The parties settled the dispute in 2023, after which Wisk became the exclusive supplier of autonomous flight technology for Archer Aviation.
Contradictory Data
Some sources indicate that Boeing retains access to Wisk's autonomous flight systems for current and future commercial and defense projects, while others claim that Boeing is transferring these technologies entirely to Archer Aviation. This creates uncertainty regarding the future use of these technologies and their availability for other Boeing projects.
Impact of the Deal on the eVTOL Market
The deal between Boeing and Archer Aviation could have a significant impact on the eVTOL market, accelerating the development and commercialization of this technology. The transfer of Wisk Aero, SkyGrid, and Insitu assets to Archer Aviation will allow the company to speed up the launch of pilot air taxi services and expand its capabilities in the field of autonomous flight systems. This could also attract additional investment to the eVTOL sector and stimulate competition among other market players.
