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Archer Delivers First Midnight Aircraft To The United States Air Force

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Archer Aviation Inc. has delivered its first Midnight aircraft to the U.S. Air Force (USAF) for evaluation under an AFWERX Agility Prime contract valued at up to $142 million. This follows the U.S. Department of Defense's acceptance of Midnight's military airworthiness assessment. USAF personnel collaborated with Archer's flight test team at the company's Salinas facility to conduct simulated medical evacuation, cargo, and intelligence missions.

The Midnight aircraft, with its vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, electric powertrain, and low noise profile, is positioned as a safer, cost-effective, and quieter alternative to existing internal combustion engine options for military aviation operations. This delivery marks a significant step in exploring advanced aircraft technology for enhancing U.S. military operational capabilities.

Archer Aviation Inc. ha consegnato il suo primo aereo Midnight all'Air Force statunitense (USAF) per una valutazione nell'ambito di un contratto AFWERX Agility Prime del valore di fino a 142 milioni di dollari. Questo segue l'accettazione da parte del Dipartimento della Difesa degli Stati Uniti della valutazione di idoneità militare del Midnight. Il personale dell'USAF ha collaborato con il team di collaudo in volo di Archer presso la sede dell'azienda a Salinas per condurre simulazioni di evacuazione medica, missioni di carico e operazioni di intelligence.

L'aereo Midnight, con le sue capacità di decollo e atterraggio verticali, il propulsore elettrico e un profilo acustico ridotto, è presentato come un'alternativa più sicura, economica e silenziosa rispetto alle attuali opzioni a motore a combustione interna per le operazioni di aviazione militare. Questa consegna rappresenta un passo significativo per esplorare tecnologie avanzate per migliorare le capacità operative militari degli Stati Uniti.

Archer Aviation Inc. ha entregado su primer avión Midnight a la Fuerza Aérea de los EE. UU. (USAF) para evaluación bajo un contrato de AFWERX Agility Prime valorado en hasta 142 millones de dólares. Esto sigue la aceptación por parte del Departamento de Defensa de EE. UU. de la evaluación de aptitud militar del Midnight. El personal de la USAF colaboró con el equipo de pruebas de vuelo de Archer en la instalación de la empresa en Salinas para realizar simulaciones de evacuación médica, misiones de carga y operaciones de inteligencia.

El avión Midnight, con sus capacidades de despegue y aterrizaje vertical, propulsión eléctrica y bajo perfil de ruido, se posiciona como una alternativa más segura, rentable y silenciosa a las opciones de motor de combustión interna existentes para operaciones de aviación militar. Esta entrega marca un paso significativo en la exploración de tecnología avanzada de aeronaves para mejorar las capacidades operativas militares de EE. UU.

아처 항공(Aircraft Aviation Inc.)은 미국 공군(USAF)을 위한 첫 번째 미드나이트 항공기를 성공적으로 인도했습니다, 이 계약은 최대 1억 4200만 달러 가치의 AFWERX Agility Prime 계약 하에 진행되었습니다. 이는 미국 국방부가 미드나이트의 군사용 비행 적합성을 수용한 것을 따릅니다. 미국 공군 직원들은 아처의 비행 테스트 팀과 협력하여 샐리나에 있는 아처의 시설에서 의료 대피, 화물 및 정보 수집 임무를 시뮬레이션했습니다.

미드나이트 항공기는 수직 이착륙 및 착륙 기능, 전기 추진 시스템 및 저소음 프로파일을 갖추고 있어 군용 항공작전에서 기존의 내연기관 옵션에 비해 더 안전하고 비용 효과적이며 조용한 대안으로 자리잡고 있습니다. 이번 인도는 미국 군대의 작전 능력을 강화하기 위한 첨단 항공기 기술 탐색에 중요한 진전을 의미합니다.

Archer Aviation Inc. a livré son premier avion Midnight à l'Armée de l'air des États-Unis (USAF) pour évaluation dans le cadre d'un contrat AFWERX Agility Prime d'une valeur pouvant aller jusqu'à 142 millions de dollars. Cela fait suite à l'acceptation par le Département de la Défense des États-Unis de l'évaluation de la navigabilité militaire du Midnight. Le personnel de l'USAF a collaboré avec l'équipe d'essai en vol d'Archer dans les installations de l'entreprise à Salinas pour effectuer des simulations d'évacuation médicale, de transport de marchandises et de missions de renseignement.

L'avion Midnight, avec ses capacités de décollage et d'atterrissage verticaux, son groupe motopropulseur électrique et son faible niveau sonore, est positionné comme une alternative plus sûre, plus économique et plus silencieuse aux options existantes à moteur à combustion interne pour les opérations aériennes militaires. Cette livraison représente une étape significative dans l'exploration de technologies aéronautiques avancées pour améliorer les capacités opérationnelles militaires des États-Unis.

Die Archer Aviation Inc. hat ihr erstes Midnight-Flugzeug an die US-Luftwaffe (USAF) ausgeliefert, um es im Rahmen eines AFWERX Agility Prime-Vertrags mit einem Wert von bis zu 142 Millionen Dollar zu evaluieren. Dies folgt auf die Akzeptanz der militärischen Lufttauglichkeitsbewertung des Midnight durch das US-Verteidigungsministerium. USAF-Personal arbeitete mit Archers Flugtestteam in der Unternehmenszentrale in Salinas zusammen, um simulierte medizinische Evakuierungen, Fracht- und Aufklärungsmissionen durchzuführen.

Das Midnight-Flugzeug, mit seinen Fähigkeiten für vertikal abhebende und landende Starts, einem elektrischen Antrieb und einem reduzierten Geräuschpegel, wird als sichere, kosteneffiziente und leise Alternative zu bestehenden Optionen mit Verbrennungsmotor für militärische Luftfahrtoperationen positioniert. Diese Lieferung stellt einen bedeutenden Schritt bei der Erforschung fortschrittlicher Flugzeugtechnologie zur Verbesserung der operativen Fähigkeiten des US-Militärs dar.

Positive
  • Delivery of first Midnight aircraft to USAF for evaluation
  • AFWERX Agility Prime contract valued at up to $142 million
  • Acceptance of military airworthiness assessment by U.S. Department of Defense
  • Collaboration with USAF personnel for simulated mission testing
  • Potential for enhancing military operational capabilities with advanced technology
Negative
  • None.

Insights

The delivery of Archer's Midnight aircraft to the USAF marks a significant milestone in the evolution of military aviation. This $142 million contract underscores the Pentagon's commitment to exploring electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) technology. The successful military airworthiness assessment is a crucial validation of Midnight's capabilities, potentially opening doors for wider adoption in defense applications.

The collaboration between Archer and the USAF in simulated missions demonstrates the versatility of eVTOL aircraft in critical scenarios like medical evacuation and reconnaissance. This could lead to a paradigm shift in military logistics and rapid response capabilities. However, investors should note that while promising, the technology is still in its early stages and full-scale deployment may face regulatory and operational hurdles.

Archer's Midnight aircraft represents a strategic leap in military aviation technology. Its electric powertrain and low noise profile offer significant tactical advantages, particularly in covert operations and urban environments. The USAF's interest signals a broader trend towards electrification and sustainability in defense, which could reshape the industry landscape.

Investors should consider the long-term implications: if successful, this technology could disrupt traditional defense contractors and create new market leaders. However, the path to full military integration will likely be lengthy, requiring extensive testing, adaptation of existing infrastructure and development of new operational doctrines. The $142 million contract, while substantial, is just the beginning of what could be a much larger investment in this technology.

Archer's delivery of the Midnight aircraft to the USAF is a positive catalyst for the company and the eVTOL sector. The $142 million contract provides a solid revenue stream and validates the commercial viability of Archer's technology. This military endorsement could accelerate civilian adoption and regulatory approvals, potentially expanding Archer's market opportunities.

However, investors should exercise caution. The eVTOL market is highly competitive and Archer faces challenges in scaling production and achieving profitability. The "up to" clause in the contract value suggests that full realization is contingent on meeting specific milestones. While this news is undoubtedly positive for Archer, the company's financial health, burn rate and ability to execute on its promises should be closely monitored before making investment decisions.

  • Last month, the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD) accepted the military airworthiness assessment of Archer’s Midnight aircraft
  • Archer delivered Midnight to the U.S. Air Force (USAF) for evaluation as part of Archer’s AFWERX Agility Prime contract valued at up to $142M*
  • Following the recent delivery-in-place handoff at Archer’s flight test facility in Salinas, CA, a team of USAF personnel worked alongside Archer’s flight test team to ramp flight operations

SANTA CLARA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Archer Aviation Inc. announced today it has delivered its first Midnight aircraft to the USAF to evaluate as part of its AFWERX Agility Prime contract valued at up to $142M*.

Archer delivered Midnight to the U.S. Air Force (USAF) for evaluation as part of Archer’s AFWERX Agility Prime contract valued at up to <money>$142M</money>* (Photo: Business Wire)

Archer delivered Midnight to the U.S. Air Force (USAF) for evaluation as part of Archer’s AFWERX Agility Prime contract valued at up to $142M* (Photo: Business Wire)

The delivery comes after the U.S. Department of Defense accepted Midnight’s military airworthiness assessment, a critical approval that confirms Midnight’s readiness for flight testing by AFWERX. This allows AFWERX to conduct government-directed testing of the aircraft for the U.S. Air Force and validate operational and military-specific mission concepts.

A team of USAF personnel worked alongside Archer’s flight test team to ramp up operations with Midnight at Salinas. Together, these teams executed simulated medical evacuation, cargo, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance flights.

"This delivery represents a pivotal moment not only for Archer but for the future of military aviation," said Adam Goldstein, CEO of Archer Aviation. "Together, our goal is to prove Midnight’s potential and ensure the United States continues to lead the way with the world’s most advanced technology."

"Archer's Midnight aircraft has the potential to significantly enhance our operational capabilities," said Col. Elliott Leigh, AFWERX Director and Chief Commercialization Officer for the Department of the Air Force. "We look forward to continuing our work with our industry partners as we explore the ways that this advanced aircraft can contribute to the mission."

With its vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, proprietary electric powertrain and low noise profile, Archer's Midnight aircraft is well-suited for military aviation operations.

Archer’s Midnight aircraft is expected to provide a much safer, cost-effective and quieter alternative to existing internal combustion engine options. As such, it holds the promise of enhancing rapid response, agility and operational effectiveness across a wide range of mission profiles.

*The “up to” contract value is subject to certain conditions being met as defined in the contracts.

About Archer

Archer is a leader in the electrification of aviation. We are designing and developing the key enabling technologies and aircraft that are necessary to power the next great transportation revolution. Our goal is for our proprietary technology to deliver unprecedented connectivity to the people and places across the most congested cities in the world. To learn more, visit www.archer.com.

About AFRL

The Air Force Research Laboratory is the primary scientific research and development center for the Department of the Air Force. AFRL plays an integral role in leading the discovery, development, and integration of affordable warfighting technologies for our air, space and cyberspace force. With a workforce of more than 12,500 across nine technology areas and 40 other operations across the globe, AFRL provides a diverse portfolio of science and technology ranging from fundamental to advanced research and technology development. For more information, visit www.afresearchlab.com.

About AFWERX

As the innovation arm of the DAF and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the most pressing challenges of the DAF. AFWERX employs approximately 370 military, civilian and contractor personnel at five hubs and sites executing an annual $1.4 billion budget. Since 2019, AFWERX has executed over 6,100 new contracts worth more than $4 billion to strengthen the U.S. defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability. For more information, visit: www.afwerx.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

This press release contains forward-looking statements regarding Archer’s future business plans and goals, including statements regarding the use cases, performance and development of its aircraft, business opportunities, and potential value of its relationship with the USAF. These forward-looking statements are only predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a variety of factors. The risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ from the results predicted are more fully detailed in Archer’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, available at www.sec.gov. In addition, please note that any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that Archer believes to be reasonable as of the date of this press release. Archer undertakes no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events.

Source: Archer

Text: ArcherIR

Archer Media Contacts

The Brand Amp – Archer@TheBrandAmp.com

Source: Archer Aviation

FAQ

What is the value of Archer's AFWERX Agility Prime contract with the USAF?

Archer's AFWERX Agility Prime contract with the USAF is valued at up to $142 million, subject to certain conditions being met as defined in the contracts.

What capabilities does Archer's Midnight aircraft offer for military operations?

Archer's Midnight aircraft offers vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, a proprietary electric powertrain, and a low noise profile. It's positioned as a safer, cost-effective, and quieter alternative to existing internal combustion engine options for military aviation operations.

What types of simulated missions were conducted with the Midnight aircraft for the USAF?

USAF personnel and Archer's flight test team conducted simulated medical evacuation, cargo, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance flights with the Midnight aircraft.

When did Archer (ACHR) deliver its first Midnight aircraft to the USAF?

Archer (ACHR) announced the delivery of its first Midnight aircraft to the USAF on August 15, 2024, as indicated by the press release date.

Archer Aviation Inc.

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