AFWERX SBIR/STTR Program Supports Rapid eVTOL Deployment, Agile Logistics

WRIGHT-PATTERSON AIR FORCE BASE, Ohio — The development of electric vertical takeoff and landing, or eVTOL, vehicles has required significant advancements in various technologies, including powertrains, batteries, and navigation software. AFWERX has played a crucial role in supporting the development of these technologies through funding, testing, and certification. One company that has benefited from AFWERX’s support is Archer Aviation, a California-based manufacturer of eVTOL aircraft.

Archer’s Midnight eVTOL features a unique “12-tilt-six” configuration, with 12 propellers fixed to six booms attached to fixed wings. The aircraft is powered by six independent lithium-ion battery packs, which eliminates emissions during flight and simplifies the engine’s design. This configuration also allows the aircraft to safely complete a flight even if one engine or battery pack fails.

In 2021, Archer received two STTR contracts totaling $298,221 to investigate precision landing and localization systems and to research and develop innovative propulsion system arrangements. In 2022, Archer received a STTR Phase II contract for $744,796 to refine its vision-based navigation concept and conduct flight tests.

In 2023, AFWERX awarded Archer a $32 million Strategic Funding Increase contract to develop a mobile flight simulator and conduct government-directed flight tests. Archer has also delivered a Midnight eVTOL to the DAF under its contract with Agility Prime, which will be used for experimental testing and evaluation. The company plans to pursue additional defense work, including a strategic partnership with Anduril to develop a hybrid VTOL aircraft for critical defense applications.

The partnership between AFWERX and Archer demonstrates the importance of collaboration between the public and private sectors in advancing innovative technologies. AFWERX’s support has enabled Archer to accelerate the development of its eVTOL technology, which has the potential to transform military logistics and operations. The delivery of the Midnight eVTOL to the DAF marks a significant milestone in the transition of eVTOL technology from the private sector to military use.

This Success Story, which was first published in the AFWERX-SpaceWERX FY2024 Annual Report, has been updated since its initial release.

In August 2024, Archer reached a critical milestone by delivering its first Midnight aircraft to the U.S. Air Force for evaluation under a contract with AFWERX’s Agility Prime program valued at up to $142 million. This delivery followed the Department of Defense’s acceptance of Midnight’s military airworthiness assessment, allowing AFWERX to begin government-directed testing to validate the aircraft’s potential for rapid response, personnel transport, and logistics.

Throughout 2025, Archer’s flight test program reached new heights, with Midnight successfully completing its longest piloted flight to date of 55 miles in August and reaching a record altitude of 10,000 feet in October. These operational milestones paved the way for international expansion, including a partnership with Anduril and GKN Aerospace to establish a new engineering hub in the UK to support the British Army’s Project NYX.

As of late 2025, Archer remains on track for commercialization as it continues manufacturing its production aircraft at its facility in Georgia, while also commemorating the recent completion of the first phase of its $126 million acquisition of Hawthorne Airport in Los Angeles– a site designated to serve as the operational hub for Archer’s planned L.A. air taxi network, as well as a primary testbed for AI-powered aviation technologies. By leveraging AFWERX contracts to de-risk high-performance electric flight and validating military use cases, Archer is proving that SBIR/STTR-backed innovation is a vital strategic asset that enhances military agility while simultaneously accelerating the commercial revolution in urban mobility.

*Disclaimer: References to non-federal entities do not constitute or imply Department of War or Air Force endorsement of any company or organization.