Archer Aviation has agreed to acquire Boeing’s Wisk Aero, Insitu and SkyGrid businesses in an all-equity transaction that will make Boeing a strategic shareholder in the electric aircraft developer. The deal brings together autonomous flight technology, unmanned aircraft systems and airspace software under Archer as it expands beyond air taxis into defence and broader aerospace applications.
Boeing will receive Archer shares rather than cash and is set to take a stake of about 19.75% before closing, along with governance rights including a board seat. Archer also gains access to Wisk’s autonomous-flight technology under a collaboration arrangement, preserving a link between the two companies after a trade-secret dispute was settled three years ago.
Insitu adds an established unmanned aircraft business with more than $200 million in annual revenue, while SkyGrid brings airspace-management software. Archer is based in San Jose, California, and says Insitu operates in 35 countries. The transaction still requires regulatory and other approvals before it can close.