Anduril, Archer, AtkinsRéalis & Skyports Drone Services Team Up to Test Dual-Use eVTOL Cargo Aircraft in U.K. Market
Anduril Industries UK is teaming up with partners for upcoming programs associated with Archer's Midnight eVTOL, including to bid for future flight opportunities.
(London, United Kingdom) Anduril Industries UK announced today that it will lead a team including Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR), Skyports Drone Services and AtkinsRéalis for upcoming programs involving Archer’s Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, including to bid for future flight opportunities.
Photo of Archer’s Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft courtesy of Archer Aviation.
Anduril and its partners intend to explore civil and defense applications in the United Kingdom using Midnight – applications include explorations for beyond visual line of sight (BVLOS) operations, enabling low-emission, rapid-response logistics to support a wide range of UK-focused civil and military use cases, including cargo.
According to today’s press release from Anduril, Anduril will serve as the lead systems integrator incorporating software-defined mission autonomy, communications, and command-and-control systems tailored for UK operational needs, and Archer will act as the platform provider, adapting its Midnight platform for dual-use applications and continuing its work with Anduril on the planned hybrid aircraft.
The announcement marks Anduril’s move in bringing Archer’s VTOL technologies to the U.K. market; Anduril and Archer will also continue to work together on Archer and Anduril’s previously announced hybrid-propulsion VTOL aircraft.
This approach to air system design and development will be supported by AtkinsRéalis’ – which was recently appointed as the Civil Aviation Authority’s (CAA) first approved assessor of commercial drones – expertise in safely and efficiently incorporating novel aviation technologies into U.K. airspace.
As for Skyports Drone Services, the company’s experience includes the delivery of numeros BVLOS campaigns for clients including the NHS and Royal Mail; in 2024, Skyports showcased the efficacy of dual-use aircraft in The Royal Navy Heavy Lift Challenge, according to today’s press release from Anduril.
Dr Rich Drake, Managing Director of Anduril UK said, “The UK has clear ambitions both for innovation and growth, as well as to continue its leadership in advanced air mobility. This partnership brings together Archer’s leading eVTOL technology, Skyports’ infrastructure expertise and AtkinsRéalis’ safety systems in order to support future flight projects, accelerating VTOL and BVLOS developments. It also unlocks opportunities in defence and civil domains, including rapid, low-emission urban transport and surveillance capabilities for defence applications. Introducing Archer to the UK, alongside experienced local partners, marks a step forward in delivering integrated air mobility”.
Verity Richardson, Head of Business Development, UK, at Archer said, “This team marks the next phase of our partnership with Anduril. There’s an incredible amount of opportunity here in the UK and worldwide to deploy dual-use advanced aircraft and we look forward to making it a reality”.
