Archer and Karem Aircraft Announce Rotor Technology Collaboration
Archer Aviation will integrate Karem’s military grade rotor systems into next generation eVTOL aircraft.
(California) Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) announced today (Dec. 2) that it has entered into an exclusive collaboration with Karem Aircraft to utilize Karem’s military grade rotor and tiltrotor technology on Archer’s next generation autonomous, hybrid propulsion vertical take off and landing aircraft.
Rendering of Karem’s optimum-speed tiltrotor concept for an uncrewed aircraft designed in 2014 under DARPA’s VTOL X-Plane project, courtesy of Karem Aircraft.
In a joint press release on Archer’s website, Archer said the strategic alliance gives the company “exclusive access to the key aspects of Karem’s pioneering tiltrotor technology, which has been validated by the U.S. Army, to accelerate Archer’s development of a versatile dual-use aircraft platform.”
Per Archer, this access will support work on an aircraft designed for both commercial and military missions.
“As we build the next generation of dual-use vertical lift aircraft, partnering with the pioneers who have shaped modern rotorcraft is essential,” said Adam Goldstein, Archer Founder and CEO. “Karem’s military-grade rotor systems are among the most advanced Army-validated technologies in the world. Integrating them into our next-gen hybrid VTOL platform positions Archer to move faster and deliver capabilities that legacy systems simply can’t match. This collaboration strengthens our dual-use strategy and accelerates our path toward fielding an aircraft built for the contested environments of tomorrow."
Image courtesy of Archer Aviation.
According to today’s announcement, the collaboration with Karem adds to Archer’s plan to modernize vertical lift capabilities for the United States and its allies. The company aims to develop a long range aircraft with modern autonomy, hybrid electric propulsion, and aeromechanics suited for missions in contested airspace.
“Karem Aircraft has always focused on delivering transformational rotor and VTOL technologies to serve the most demanding military and commercial missions,” Abe Karem, founder of Karem Aircraft, commented. “Archer’s vision for a dual-use, hybrid VTOL platform aligns perfectly with our belief that the next leap in vertical lift requires both advanced aeromechanics and modern autonomy. We’re excited to collaborate with Archer as they look to bring to market the next generation of tiltrotor capability.”
Archer said the new agreement builds on its recent acquisitions of patented technology from Overair and Lilium – these assets are expected to help produce aircraft with the speed, range, payload, and low thermal and acoustic signatures needed for a wide range of operations, per Archer.
Today’s announcement follows Archer’s recent agreement to supply its electric powertrain to Anduril and EDGE Group for their Omen Autonomous Air Vehicle.
Per Archer, the Anduril deal and its new collaboration with Karem demonstrate its continued move into dual-use and hybrid VTOL programs.
