US Air Force awards $142 million contract for electric VTOL aircraft

News, US August 2, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

The U.S. Department of Defense has awarded a $142 million contract to Archer Aviation, a U.S.-based aircraft company that specializes in developing electric planes. Under the contract signed on July 31, 2023, Archer Aviation would develop six electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft for the U.S. Air Force.

The contract has been signed under the U.S. Air Force AFWERX Agility Prime program. An initiative that is aimed at developing eVTOL solutions for U.S. Defense applications. Since the start of this program, Archer Aviation has been working closely with the U.S. Department of Defense in developing eVTOL solutions for defense purposes.

Archer Aviation’s primary product is its Midnight aircraft, a vertical takeoff and landing platform with high-end capabilities and a target payload of approximately 450 kilograms. Midnight eVTOL is powered by an electric powertrain system and has a very low noise profile.

According to the company, aircraft represents a potential paradigm shift in military aviation and operations. Archer’s Midnight aircraft are expected to provide a much safer and quieter alternative to helicopters while being more cost-effective for the U.S. military to transport, operate and maintain in the field.

“This historic agreement reflects the steadfast commitment by our Armed Forces to embrace the cutting-edge technology our eVTOL aircraft offer,” Archer’s Founder and CEO Adam Goldstein said in a statement.

“It is clear that the development and commercialization of eVTOL technology continues to remain a national priority. We look forward to working closely with the U.S. Department of Defense and the U.S. Air Force to integrate Midnight into their operational fleet with a focus on transport, logistics, and rescue operations,” he added.

*^{Midnight Electric Vertical Takeoff & Landing Aircraft. (Image Credit: Archer Aviation)}*

The lead for the U.S. Air Force AFWERX Agility Prime programs Colonel Tom Meagher said, “It is our mission to ensure the U.S. continues to lead the world in developing and deploying emerging aerospace technology.”

Col. Meagher added that “eVTOL aircraft represent the cusp of the third revolution in aerospace, and these aircraft and their descendants will drive advances in capabilities and efficiency. Our contracts with Archer Aviation provide the U.S., Department of Defense and U.S. Air Force the opportunity to play a role in ensuring from the onset, and as the technology evolves, that we unlock the many benefits these aircraft have to offer the U.S. military.”

Archer’s Midnight eVTOL

First unveiled in 2022, Archer’s Midnight eVTOL has a 12 tilt 6 configuration, which means that six out of 12 of its propellors tilt forward to provide extra cruising speed during a flight. At the time of its demonstration in 2022, the aircraft flew at a speed of 170 kilometers per hour.

According to the company, Midnight is designed to be safe, sustainable, and quiet. The plane is fully electric and it can carry four passengers and a pilot. Midnight is optimized for back-to-back short-distance trips of around 20 miles, with a charging time of approximately 10 minutes in-between. Archer is working to certify Midnight with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) by late-2024 and plans to launch the plane for commercial use in 2025.

Archer has announced its plans to build a manufacturing facility in Georgia, U.S., near the Covington Municipal Airport. The facility is expected to start production in 2024 and be able to produce up to 650 eVTOLs each year.