Archer Delivers First Aircraft to US Air Force
By Yves Le Marquand
Archer Aviation has delivered its first Midnight eVTOL to the US Air Force (USAF) after the Department of Defense accepted the aircraft’s military airworthiness assessment.
The Midnight aircraft will now be evaluated as part of Archer’s AFWERX Agility Prime contract worth up to $142m (subject to certain conditions being met). AFWERX will conduct government-directed testing of the aircraft for the USAF and validate operational and military-specific mission types.
“Archer’s Midnight aircraft has the potential to significantly enhance our operational capabilities,” said Col Elliott Leigh, AFWERX director and chief commercialisation officer for the Department of the Air Force. “We look forward to continuing our work with our industry partners as we explore the ways that this advanced aircraft can contribute to the mission.”
A team of USAF personnel has worked alongside Archer’s flight test team ahead of beginning operations with Midnight at the OEM’s test facility in Salinas, California. Together, these teams carried out simulated flights including medical evacuation, cargo, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance.
“This delivery represents a pivotal moment not only for Archer but for the future of military aviation,” said Adam Goldstein, CEO of Archer. “Together, our goal is to prove Midnight’s potential and ensure the United States continues to lead the way with the world’s most advanced technology.”
