How Nvidia's Huang and Meta's Zuckerberg Are -2-

Archer Aviation is taking over three Boeing subsidiaries as it expands its flying-taxi and autonomous flight capabilities. The maker of electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft projects that the deal will add a profitable defense business generating more than $200 million in annual revenue.

-- Archer has an agreement to acquire Boeing subsidiaries Wisk Aero, SkyGrid, and Insitu. Wisk Aero develops autonomous air taxis, Insitu makes drones, and SkyGrid is an air-traffic software provider.

-- Archer's eVTOL aircraft remains on track for flights this year. The eVTOLs are quieter and easier to operate than conventional helicopters, expanding urban air taxi opportunities.

-- Boeing CEO Kelly Ortberg has been focused on stabilizing Boeing's core commercial jet and military businesses and has been divesting other businesses in recent years. Boeing will keep access to Wisk's autonomous flight technology under the deal.

-- Archer and its peers are on the cusp of commercializing air taxi services. The Boeing deal comes a month after Archer unveiled a jointly developed autonomous hybrid eVTOL platform with Anduril. It is called Thunder for defense missions and Halo for commercial uses.

What's Next: Boeing will receive a nearly 20% stake in Archer under the acquisition agreements and will become a strategic partner with Archer under a collaboration and technology sharing arrangement. The companies expect the deal to close by the end of 2026.

-- Kit Norton and Janet H. Cho

-- Newsletter edited by Liz Moyer, Patrick O'Donnell, Rupert Steiner

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August 11, 2026 06:57 ET (10:57 GMT)