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Archer Acquires Wisk and Joby Expands Into Defense as Electric Aviation Consolidates

Significant transactions across the electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) sector highlight ongoing consolidation and a pivot toward defense opportunities as companies navigate lengthy regulatory timelines. In a major acquisition, Archer Aviation has taken ownership of former competitor Wisk Aero from Boeing, while Joby Aviation completed a $500 million acquisition of Resonant Sciences to establish a dedicated defense division.

What Happened

Boeing agreed to transfer ownership of Wisk Aero alongside two other subsidiaries—digital airspace software developer SkyGrid and drone manufacturer Insitu—to Archer Aviation. In exchange, Boeing received a 16.5% equity stake in Archer. The deal follows years of complicated legal battles, beginning with a 2021 lawsuit filed by Wisk against Archer alleging intellectual property theft, accompanied by Archer’s $1 billion countersuit, which were settled out of court.

Meanwhile, Joby Aviation announced a $500 million acquisition of Resonant Sciences, an engineering firm specializing in radio frequency and sensor systems. Joby will organize the acquired business into a new division named Joby Defense. While Joby remains committed to certifying passenger air taxis, the acquisition reflects its continued efforts to secure revenue streams from military and defense contracts.

Key Highlights

  • Archer and Boeing Transaction: Archer Aviation acquired Wisk Aero, SkyGrid, and Insitu from Boeing, giving Boeing a 16.5% equity holding in Archer.
  • Joby Enters Defense: Joby Aviation acquired Resonant Sciences for $500 million to form Joby Defense, targeting defense-sector applications alongside urban air taxi development.
  • Uber Divests Delivery Stake: Uber divested its entire holding in Serve Robotics, an autonomous sidewalk delivery startup that originated inside Uber. Serve’s delivery partnership with the Uber Eats app remains active through 2027.
  • Global Mobility Funding: Indian electric mobility firm Yulu secured $93 million in a Series C funding round featuring $63 million in equity led by GEF Capital Partners and $30 million in debt. Uber also invested in Chilean vehicle credit fintech Galgo.
  • Autonomous Vehicle Milestones: Aurora Innovation and Kodiak AI secured California DMV permits to test driverless freight trucks on public roads. Waymo received approval from the California Public Utilities Commission to expand paid ride-hailing territories in California.

Why This Matters

Developing commercial electric air taxis requires navigating lengthy certification processes from aviation regulators. Mergers and acquisitions illustrate how aircraft developers are reshaping their business structures to remain capitalized. By acquiring Wisk, Archer consolidates technology and strengthens ties with aerospace giant Boeing. In Joby’s case, entering the defense sector through Resonant Sciences creates a dual-track strategy designed to capture government contracts and commercial revenue prior to the full public rollout of urban air taxi routes.

What to Watch Next

Supported development tracks to track moving forward include:

  • The integration of Wisk Aero, SkyGrid, and Insitu operations under Archer Aviation’s umbrella.
  • Joby Defense’s rollout of radio frequency and sensor offerings while continuing to seek civilian eVTOL air taxi certification.
  • Testing progress of autonomous commercial trucks on California roads by Kodiak AI and Aurora Innovation following their DMV approvals.
  • Waymo’s commercial ride-hailing service expansion across wider regions of the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles, along with potential rollouts in Sacramento and San Diego.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the primary terms of Archer’s deal with Boeing?

Boeing sold Wisk Aero, airspace management developer SkyGrid, and drone maker Insitu to Archer Aviation. In return, Boeing received a 16.5% stake in Archer.

What was the prior relationship between Archer Aviation and Wisk Aero?

Wisk sued Archer in 2021 over allegations involving the theft of confidential information and intellectual property. Archer countered with a $1 billion damages suit. Both companies resolved the litigation through a settlement prior to the current acquisition agreement.

What is Joby Defense?

Joby Defense is a newly established defense-oriented unit within Joby Aviation created following the $500 million acquisition of sensor and radio frequency technology maker Resonant Sciences.

Source: TechCrunch Mobility newsletter reports.