Boeing is selling three subsidiaries to Archer Aviation, including Wisk Aero, SkyGrid and Insitu, and will take an equity stake in the San Jose-based eVTOL maker.
The transaction gives Archer ownership of Wisk’s autonomous-aircraft work while folding in SkyGrid’s air-traffic systems and Insitu’s high-altitude drones, and will see Boeing take a nearly 20% stake in Archer as part of the arrangement.
Boeing’s move shifts responsibility for bringing autonomous air taxis to market to Archer while preserving Boeing’s link to the technology, a choice that comes as Boeing manages a $715 billion backlog and regulatory scrutiny of its commercial fleet.
“This transaction is a win‑win for Boeing and Archer,” Brian Yutko, Boeing vice president for Commercial Airplanes Product Development, said.
Under the deal Boeing will retain access to Wisk’s autonomous flight systems and share technology with Archer, continuing a collaboration that grew out of prior settlements and investments tying the companies together.
Archer has said it plans pilot services in multiple U.S. markets and the deal is expected to accelerate its path to commercial operations.
