Airforce Technology

Daily Newsletter

09 August 2023

Daily Newsletter

US Marine Corps embraces Archer’s Midnight EVTOL aircraft

USMC's visit follows Archer's deal with the US Air Force and highlights the attributes of the Midnight eVTOL aircraft.

Archer Aviation Inc., a player in electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, recently showcased its Midnight eVTOL aircraft to a United States Marine Corps delegation.

This visit, closely following Archer's collaboration with the US Air Force, shows the growing allure of the Midnight aircraft within the US military. The aircraft's capabilities and performance could revolutionise military aviation and operations, enhancing agility, safety, and efficiency across a spectrum of mission profiles.

Archer Aviation Inc. announced a milestone as it welcomed key representatives from the United States Marine Corps to examine its advanced Midnight eVTOL aircraft closely. This event, occurring shortly after Archer's $142m deal with the US Air Force, shows the Midnight aircraft's interest in the US military ecosystem.

Launched in November 2022, Archer's Midnight aircraft has vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, a payload capacity of approximately 1,000 lbs, and a proprietary electric powertrain system, which has ignited enthusiasm among the Department of Defense.

Its design and reduced noise signature present an opportunity for a shift in military aviation and operations. These attributes position Archer's Midnight eVTOL aircraft as an asset for diverse mission profiles, including personnel transport, logistics support, and rescue operations.

The USMC's visit indicates the growing recognition that Archer's Midnight eVTOL aircraft offers an alternative to traditional helicopters. Notably, the aircraft's operational benefits extend beyond performance, providing a cost-effective solution for transportation, maintenance, and operations within military settings.

Retired 2-Star General Clay Hutmacher, a distinguished member of Archer's Government Services Advisory Board, expressed his enthusiasm for the aircraft's prospects: "The low cost, low noise, high safety nature of Archer's Midnight makes it a very compelling aircraft for all branches of the US military to integrate into their fleet."

General Hutmacher, whose extensive career in the United States Army spans over four decades, further endorsed the growing interest and adoption of eVTOL aircraft across various military applications. "We continue to see increasing interest in the capabilities of eVTOL aircraft across the military."

Archer continues to work collaboratively with its Government Services Advisory Board, engaging with US government agencies and public safety organisations to explore opportunities for the adoption of its eVTOL aircraft.

Electric aircraft set to bring upon a transformative change in the aerospace and defense sector

While the ambition for the development of electric aircraft has been persistent throughout the age of flight, only recently have the necessary technological advances in fields such as batteries and energy generation made the concept of electric aircraft a viable future capability. Lithium-ion batteries can offer a great enough specific energy to allow electric aircraft to compete with conventionally powered aircraft in many sectors. The benefits and applications of electric aircraft are diverse, ranging from cleaner commercial aviation to air taxis, high-speed broadband enablers, and even space launch systems. With such a range of potential applications, electric aircraft have provided a transformative change in the aerospace and defense sector. The sudden increase in electric aviation start-ups and large companies getting involved has come as a result of massive amounts of investment driven by a need for more sustainable solutions. This development, heralded as the ‘Third Age of Flight’ is a revolution in the aviation industry comparable to the advent of jet propulsion and heavier-than-air flight.