Boeing Archer Wisk Deal: Autonomous Aerospace Acquisition

On August 10, The Boeing Company and Archer Aviation Inc. announced definitive agreements under which Archer will acquire Boeing’s Wisk Aero, SkyGrid and Insitu subsidiaries. The Boeing Archer Wisk deal brings together capabilities developed over decades in autonomy, electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, and unmanned aircraft systems (UAS). The companies said the combination is intended to create an end-to-end physical AI platform serving both aerospace and defense sectors. As part of the transaction, Boeing will take a stake in Stellantis-backed Archer and become a strategic partner, establishing a collaboration and technology-sharing arrangement alongside the proposed acquisition.

Autonomous Flight Capabilities Being Combined

Wisk, SkyGrid and Insitu have developed and incubated autonomous flight technologies that are intended to support future applications. Wisk has designed, built and flown six generations of eVTOL aircraft and has accumulated more than 1,700 flight tests, supported by a next-generation flight-control computer, sensor suite and radar system. SkyGrid has developed a ground-based air traffic management solution intended to provide the digital foundation for future automated airspace. Insitu has designed, developed and manufactured VTOL-capable uncrewed aircraft systems used for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance. These capabilities will be combined with Archer’s air taxi, UAS and AI technologies to support new solutions.

About the Companies

The transaction brings together specialized technologies spanning electric aircraft, autonomous systems, automated airspace management and artificial intelligence. The principal capabilities associated with the acquired businesses include:

• Wisk has designed, built and flown six generations of eVTOL aircraft, completing more than 1,700 flight tests with a next-generation flight-control computer, sensor suite and radar system.
• SkyGrid has built a ground-based air traffic management solution establishing the digital foundation for future automated airspace.
• Insitu has designed, developed and manufactured VTOL-capable uncrewed aircraft systems used in intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.

The combination of these capabilities with Archer’s air taxi, UAS and AI technologies is intended to bring innovative solutions to aerospace and defense applications. Boeing’s planned stake and strategic partnership with Archer will also establish a technology-sharing arrangement, adding another layer of collaboration to the transaction. The agreement therefore brings together autonomous flight development, eVTOL aircraft expertise, UAS capabilities, airspace management and AI technologies within a broader physical AI platform designed for future aerospace and defense requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

What does the Boeing Archer Wisk deal involve?
The transaction combines Boeing’s autonomous flight subsidiaries with Archer’s eVTOL, UAS and AI capabilities to build an end-to-end physical AI platform. Archer will acquire Boeing’s Wisk Aero, SkyGrid and Insitu subsidiaries under definitive agreements announced on August 10. Boeing will take a stake in Archer and become a strategic partner, creating a collaboration and technology-sharing arrangement. The combined capabilities cover autonomous flight, electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, unmanned aircraft systems, automated airspace management and related artificial intelligence technologies for aerospace and defense applications.