Representatives from the U.S. Marine Corps (USMC) have visited Archer Aviation to see its Midnight eVTOL aircraft.
The visit from the USMC comes on the heels of Archer’s recent announcement of its deal with the U.S. Air Force valued at up to $142m. According to Archer, the visit is an indication of the growing interest in its Midnight aircraft across the US military.
With Archer recently completing the manufacturing of its first Midnight aircraft, Department of Defense personnel have indicated they recognize that with its vertical take-off and landing capabilities, target payload of approximately 1,000lbs, proprietary electric powertrain system, and low noise profile, Archer’s aircraft represents a potential paradigm shift in military aviation and operations.
These aircraft hold the promise of enhancing rapid response, agility, and operational effectiveness across a wide range of mission profiles, from personnel transport and logistics support to rescue operations and more. 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.
“The low cost, low noise, high safety nature of Archer’s Midnight makes it a very compelling aircraft for all branches of the U.S. military to integrate into their fleet,” said Retired 2-Star General and Archer Government Services Advisory Board Member, Clay Hutmacher. “We continue to see increasing interest in the capabilities of eVTOL aircraft across the military.”
According to Archer, its working closely with the members of its Government Services Advisory Board to more fully engage with US government and public safety agencies around the country to explore opportunities to commercialize its eVTOL aircraft.
