Air Force to Acquire Archer Midnight Electric VTOL Aircraft Under $142M Contract

The U.S. Air Force has awarded California-based electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft manufacturer Archer Aviation $142 million in contracts to provide up to six Midnight eVTOL aircraft. The Air Force will use the Midnight platform for personnel transport, logistics support and rescue operations. Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer, said the Midnight aircraft can carry up to 1,000 pounds of cargo and is powered by a proprietary, low-noise electric powertrain that enables low-cost operations. Archer will also provide flight test data, certification test reports, pilot training and maintenance and repair operations, Defence Connect reported.