Archer Aviation Inc. (ACHR) is at the forefront of the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft industry, designing and developing cutting-edge aircraft for urban air mobility (UAM) networks. With a focus on safety, sustainability, and innovation, Archer is poised to revolutionize the way people move and experience transportation.
Business Overview
Archer's core mission is to unlock the skies, freeing everyone to reimagine how they move and spend time. The company's planned lines of business include Archer UAM, where it will operate its own UAM ecosystem in select major cities, and Archer Direct, where it will selectively sell its eVTOL aircraft and ancillary products and services to third parties.Archer's flagship aircraft, Midnight, is designed around a proprietary 12-tilt-6 configuration, featuring 12 propellers attached to 6 booms on a fixed wing. This design allows for vertical takeoff and landing, as well as efficient forward flight, delivering industry-leading performance balanced with safety. Midnight is designed to carry 4 passengers plus a pilot, with a range of around 20 miles and minimal charging time between trips.
Financials
Archer has not yet generated any revenue, as the company continues to focus on the design, development, and certification of its eVTOL aircraft. For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2023, the company reported a net loss of $457.9 million, with no revenue and an operating cash outflow of $271.6 million. Free cash flow for the year was negative $315.9 million.In the first quarter of 2024, Archer reported a net loss of $116.5 million, with no revenue and an operating cash outflow of $86.5 million. Free cash flow for the quarter was negative $103.8 million.
Liquidity
As of March 31, 2024, Archer had $405.8 million in cash and cash equivalents, along with $6.7 million in restricted cash, totaling $412.5 million in liquidity. The company also has access to an additional $117 million in debt and equity proceeds under various capital arrangements.Archer's management has emphasized the importance of capital efficiency and has adopted a capital-light strategy, leveraging the existing aerospace supply base for the development and manufacture of 80% of its parts. This approach has allowed the company to avoid the ongoing structural spending that would be necessary to develop those technologies in-house.
Additionally, Archer has forged strong partnerships with established companies, such as Stellantis, which the company expects to serve as its contract manufacturing partner for the Midnight aircraft. This partnership, along with pre-delivery payments from customers, is expected to help fund the company's working capital needs as it approaches commercial production.
Certification and Flight Testing
Archer has made significant progress in its certification and flight testing efforts. The company has logged over 100 flights with its Midnight aircraft in the first quarter of 2024, putting it on pace to exceed its goal of 400 flights this year. The flight test team has safely and steadily advanced Midnight through the envelope expansion phase and has now entered the transition portion of the flight test campaign.Archer is also making progress on the testing and certification front, having completed over 60% of the FAA for-credit testing for composite structural materials and successfully completing structural proof load testing of the Midnight fuselage. The company has also made significant advancements in the testing and certification of its environmental control system, avionics, and flight control system.
International Expansion
Archer is actively pursuing international expansion opportunities, with a particular focus on the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and India. In the UAE, the company has signed a landmark framework agreement with the Abu Dhabi Investment Office (ADIO) that provides for several hundred million dollars in investment to accelerate the launch of air taxis in the region.In India, Archer has partnered with InterGlobe, one of the country's largest aviation and hospitality conglomerates. The companies are working to finalize a comprehensive joint venture that would not only purchase an initial fleet of up to 200 Midnight aircraft but also build out an extensive network of vertiports and support services across India.
Outlook
Archer's management has provided guidance for the second quarter of 2024, anticipating total non-GAAP operating expenses of $80 million to $95 million. This range includes approximately $17 million in non-recurring costs and material expenses related to the company's ongoing supply chain build-out and the manufacture of its six conforming Midnight aircraft for FAA certification testing.Risks and Challenges
Key risks facing Archer include the successful completion of its aircraft certification process, the ability to ramp up manufacturing and achieve its production targets, the adoption of UAM services by consumers, and the company's ability to secure additional funding as needed to support its growth plans.