Archer Aviation Acquires Wisk Aero: Merger of Two eVTOL Developers

Archer Aviation, a developer of electric air taxis (eVTOL), has finalized its acquisition of rival Wisk Aero. The deal includes the transfer of technologies, intellectual property, and assets, as well as Boeing’s entry as a 16.5% shareholder in Archer. Additionally, Boeing’s subsidiaries SkyGrid (air traffic management software developer) and Insitu (drone manufacturer) were included in the transaction.

Wisk Aero was originally part of Kitty Hawk, a project founded by Sebastian Thrun (co-founder of X, Alphabet’s lab) and backed by Larry Page (co-founder of Google). In 2021, Wisk filed a lawsuit against Archer, alleging theft of confidential information. Two years later, the companies settled the dispute and signed a cooperation agreement, paving the way for the current acquisition.

The deal signals a new phase of consolidation in the eVTOL market, which continues to evolve despite lengthy regulatory certification processes. Archer Aviation remains focused on commercializing electric air taxis, while Boeing gains access to cutting-edge technologies and a stake in a growing business.

Meanwhile, Joby Aviation announced the acquisition of Resonant Sciences for $500 million. Resonant Sciences specializes in radio frequency and sensor systems, enabling Joby to expand into the defense sector. The company continues working toward certifying its eVTOLs for commercial operations while exploring new markets.