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Boeing Sells Wisk, SkyGrid, and Insitu to Archer Aviation for Equity Stake
Boeing announced on Monday that it will divest its Wisk Aero, SkyGrid, and Insitu subsidiaries to Archer Aviation in exchange for a stake of just under 20 percent in the California‑based eVTOL startup. The transaction, which is expected to close by the end of 2026 pending antitrust review, includes a collaboration and technology‑sharing agreement that preserves Boeing’s access to Wisk’s autonomous aircraft technology for its current and future commercial and defense programs.
The deal marks a significant shift for both companies. Archer, which has been developing the piloted Midnight electric vertical‑take‑off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, will now also own Wisk’s autonomous air‑taxi platform, SkyGrid’s air‑traffic‑management software, and Insitu’s drone manufacturing capabilities. In return, Boeing receives equity and warrants that could allow additional stock purchases, giving it a 19.75‑percent stake in Archer.
Archer’s chief executive, Adam Goldstein, said the acquisition would accelerate the company’s ability to bring new products to market. “This is a watershed moment for Archer and the future of physical AI in aerospace and defense,” Goldstein told a joint press release. He added, “This is the next big step forward in becoming a diversified platform, rapidly growing our revenue base and bringing scale to our business.”
The transaction also includes a formal collaboration agreement that keeps Boeing connected to Wisk’s technology. According to the press release, Boeing will retain access to Wisk’s autonomous aircraft systems for both its existing commercial aircraft and upcoming defense platforms.
Archer’s air‑taxi ambitions have been highlighted by its goal of transporting New York City travelers to airports in 15 minutes or less, bypassing ground traffic. The company also announced in November 2025 that it had purchased Hawthorne Airport in Los Angeles for $126 million, positioning the site as a launch hub for the 2028 Olympic Games.
In its May earnings release, Archer reported that the Midnight vehicle had completed phase three of the Federal Aviation Administration’s four‑phase certification process. The company is slated to report its full quarterly results later this week.
The market reaction to the announcement was swift. Archer shares surged 12.6 percent in midday trading, while Boeing’s stock rose 0.5 percent.
Industry observers note that the deal reflects Boeing’s broader strategy under CEO Kelly Ortberg to refocus on its core commercial‑aircraft and defense businesses. By divesting its eVTOL and related assets, Boeing can streamline operations while still maintaining a strategic partnership with a growing player in the autonomous‑flight space.
For Archer, the acquisition expands its portfolio from a single piloted eVTOL platform to a suite of autonomous aircraft, drones, and air‑space‑management software. The company’s existing partnership with United Airlines, which has conditionally ordered 200 Archer aircraft, provides a commercial foothold that Archer hopes to leverage as it scales.
The transaction’s completion will depend on regulatory approval. Antitrust authorities will review the deal to ensure it does not impede competition in the rapidly evolving autonomous‑flight market.
At present, the key unresolved issues include the final valuation of the equity stake, the timing of the transaction’s closing, and the scope of the technology‑sharing agreement. Archer and Boeing have not yet disclosed detailed financial terms beyond the stake percentage.
In summary, Boeing’s divestiture of Wisk Aero, SkyGrid, and Insitu to Archer Aviation consolidates the eVTOL and autonomous‑flight landscape, giving Archer a broader technology base and Boeing a minority stake in a growing startup. The deal is poised to influence the pace of product development in both companies and could set a precedent for future collaborations between legacy aerospace manufacturers and emerging mobility firms.
The deal marks a significant shift for both companies. Archer, which has been developing the piloted Midnight electric vertical‑take‑off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, will now also own Wisk’s autonomous air‑taxi platform, SkyGrid’s air‑traffic‑management software, and Insitu’s drone manufacturing capabilities. In return, Boeing receives equity and warrants that could allow additional stock purchases, giving it a 19.75‑percent stake in Archer.
Archer’s chief executive, Adam Goldstein, said the acquisition would accelerate the company’s ability to bring new products to market. “This is a watershed moment for Archer and the future of physical AI in aerospace and defense,” Goldstein told a joint press release. He added, “This is the next big step forward in becoming a diversified platform, rapidly growing our revenue base and bringing scale to our business.”
The transaction also includes a formal collaboration agreement that keeps Boeing connected to Wisk’s technology. According to the press release, Boeing will retain access to Wisk’s autonomous aircraft systems for both its existing commercial aircraft and upcoming defense platforms.
Archer’s air‑taxi ambitions have been highlighted by its goal of transporting New York City travelers to airports in 15 minutes or less, bypassing ground traffic. The company also announced in November 2025 that it had purchased Hawthorne Airport in Los Angeles for $126 million, positioning the site as a launch hub for the 2028 Olympic Games.
In its May earnings release, Archer reported that the Midnight vehicle had completed phase three of the Federal Aviation Administration’s four‑phase certification process. The company is slated to report its full quarterly results later this week.
The market reaction to the announcement was swift. Archer shares surged 12.6 percent in midday trading, while Boeing’s stock rose 0.5 percent.
Industry observers note that the deal reflects Boeing’s broader strategy under CEO Kelly Ortberg to refocus on its core commercial‑aircraft and defense businesses. By divesting its eVTOL and related assets, Boeing can streamline operations while still maintaining a strategic partnership with a growing player in the autonomous‑flight space.
For Archer, the acquisition expands its portfolio from a single piloted eVTOL platform to a suite of autonomous aircraft, drones, and air‑space‑management software. The company’s existing partnership with United Airlines, which has conditionally ordered 200 Archer aircraft, provides a commercial foothold that Archer hopes to leverage as it scales.
The transaction’s completion will depend on regulatory approval. Antitrust authorities will review the deal to ensure it does not impede competition in the rapidly evolving autonomous‑flight market.
At present, the key unresolved issues include the final valuation of the equity stake, the timing of the transaction’s closing, and the scope of the technology‑sharing agreement. Archer and Boeing have not yet disclosed detailed financial terms beyond the stake percentage.
In summary, Boeing’s divestiture of Wisk Aero, SkyGrid, and Insitu to Archer Aviation consolidates the eVTOL and autonomous‑flight landscape, giving Archer a broader technology base and Boeing a minority stake in a growing startup. The deal is poised to influence the pace of product development in both companies and could set a precedent for future collaborations between legacy aerospace manufacturers and emerging mobility firms.
