Archer, Anduril to develop next-gen defense aircraft [Video]

Archer Aviation and Anduril Industries on Thursday announced a new partnership that will see the two companies build a next-generation aircraft for defense applications.

The announcement noted that the first product to be developed by the partnership will be a hybrid-propulsion, vertical-takeoff-and-landing (VTOL) aircraft that would target a potential program of record from the Department of Defense (DOD). Archer will also create a new division known as Archer Defense.

Archer’s expertise is in building electric VTOL aircraft, including its commercial air taxi called Midnight, which the company expects to begin manufacturing at its facility near Atlanta, Georgia, next year with deliveries to follow. Anduril is a defense technology firm that specializes in artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomous technologies, such as its Lattice OS command and control platform.

“We’re announcing a new partnership with Andruil where we will work together to jointly build new future vertical lift aircraft for defense purposes and there is an additional $439 million of …