SANTA CLARA- Archer Aviation has delivered its first Midnight aircraft to the United States Air Force (USAF) for evaluation under a $142 million AFWERX Agility Prime contract.
This milestone follows the U.S. Department of Defense’s acceptance of Midnight’s military airworthiness assessment, confirming the aircraft’s readiness for AFWERX flight testing.
Archer Midnight Aircraft for USA
The approval enables AFWERX to conduct government-directed testing and validate operational and military-specific mission concepts. USAF personnel collaborated with Archer’s flight test team in Salinas to execute simulated medical evacuation, cargo, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance flights.
Adam Goldstein, CEO of Archer Aviation, emphasized the delivery’s significance for both Archer and the future of military aviation. He expressed the joint goal of proving Midnight’s potential and maintaining U.S. technological leadership.
Col Elliott Leigh, AFWERX Director and Chief Commercialization Officer for the Department of the Air Force, acknowledged Midnight’s potential to enhance operational capabilities. He affirmed AFWERX’s commitment to exploring the aircraft’s military applications.
Archer’s Midnight aircraft boasts vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, a proprietary electric powertrain, and a low noise profile. These features position it as a viable option for military aviation operations.
The Midnight aircraft is expected to offer a safer, more cost-effective, and quieter alternative to existing internal combustion engine options.
Its potential advantages include enhanced rapid response, agility, and operational effectiveness across various mission profiles.
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