Archer Aviation has signed definitive agreements to acquire Boeing’s Wisk Aero, Insitu, and SkyGrid subsidiaries, combining decades of autonomous flight technology development with the electric air taxi maker’s artificial intelligence capabilities to create what the companies describe as an end-to-end physical AI platform for aerospace and defense.
The three Boeing subsidiaries bring a combined portfolio of nearly two million flight hours and generate over $200 million in annual revenue, with operations spanning 35 countries. Wisk has designed and flown six generations of eVTOL aircraft over 16 years and amassed more than 1,700 flight tests. Insitu manufactures uncrewed aircraft systems used by armed forces across 35 nations and has produced over 3,500 unmanned aircraft. SkyGrid has developed ground-based air traffic management software for autonomous flight integration.
The acquisition will merge these autonomy and airspace technologies with Archer’s ZEE artificial intelligence foundation model, purpose-built for aviation. Adam Goldstein, Archer’s founder and CEO, called it “a watershed moment for Archer and the future of physical AI in aerospace and defense,” and said the deal represents “the next big step forward in becoming a diversified platform, rapidly growing our revenue base and bringing scale to our business.”
Boeing will retain access to Wisk’s autonomous flight technology for its current and next-generation commercial and defense aircraft through a collaboration and technology-sharing arrangement. The aerospace giant will also take a strategic stake in Archer, allowing it to maintain upside from the technologies while focusing investments on Boeing’s core businesses. Brian Yutko, Boeing vice president of Commercial Airplanes Product Development, said the transaction allows the three subsidiaries “to accelerate capability development and time to market while ensuring Boeing capitalizes on its investments in these technologies over the past two decades.”
The deal represents a significant shift in the competitive landscape of advanced aviation. In August 2023, Archer and Wisk had settled a bitter two-year legal battle over trade secrets and patent infringement, with Boeing investing $215 million in Archer’s funding round and the companies agreeing to collaborate on autonomous flight technology. This acquisition transforms that partnership into a full integration of capabilities.
The transaction remains subject to regulatory approvals, including clearance under the Hart-Scott-Rodino Antitrust Improvements Act, and is expected to close by the end of 2026. Moelis & Company is serving as financial advisor to Archer, with Fenwick & West as outside counsel. J.P. Morgan Securities is advising Boeing, with Mayer Brown as outside counsel.
Sources
- Archer Aviation Investor Relations — Press release announcing the definitive agreements for acquisition of Boeing’s Wisk Aero, SkyGrid, and Insitu subsidiaries, including transaction structure, expected timeline, and strategic rationale
- Business Wire — Full announcement of the deal combining autonomy technologies with Archer’s ZEE AI platform, revenue figures for acquired subsidiaries, and details on Boeing’s ongoing stake and collaboration arrangement
