Archer Aviation announced the launch of a new engineering hub in the South West of England, operating under the newly formed Archer Aviation UK Limited. The hub will serve as a regional center for the design, testing, and certification of the company’s Midnight eVTOL and its hybrid‑propulsion, dual‑use aircraft, positioning Archer to accelerate development timelines and meet growing demand from commercial and defense customers.
The company has hired Dr. Limhi Somerville, a veteran eVTOL engineer formerly with Vertical Aerospace, who will join the team in early 2026. Somerville brings deep expertise in vertical lift systems and has led several high‑profile projects in the UK aerospace sector, making him a strategic fit for Archer’s expansion into the British market and its defense initiatives.
Archer’s UK hub will collaborate closely with GKN Aerospace’s Isle of Wight airframe facility and support the company’s defense partnership with Anduril. The partnership focuses on the British Army’s Project NYX and the Ministry of Defence’s Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform program, both of which rely on Archer’s hybrid‑propulsion technology to deliver rapid‑deployment, low‑visibility air support. The joint effort is expected to streamline supply chain integration and reduce time‑to‑market for both commercial and military aircraft.
Strategically, the hub signals Archer’s commitment to scaling engineering capabilities ahead of FAA type‑certification and commercial launch. By tapping UK talent and leveraging GKN’s manufacturing expertise, Archer aims to shorten development cycles, strengthen its competitive position, and broaden its customer base to include United Airlines and U.S. military operators. The move also underscores the company’s dual‑focus on commercial air taxi and defense markets, diversifying revenue streams and mitigating sector‑specific risks.
While Archer remains cash‑rich with a strong liquidity position, it has yet to achieve profitability. The UK hub represents a significant capital investment that will support the company’s long‑term growth strategy, positioning Archer to capture a larger share of the emerging eVTOL market and to deliver on its promise of hybrid‑propulsion, dual‑use aircraft for both civilian and defense applications.
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