Boeing invests in Wisk Aero
US aircraft manufacturer Boeing has invested a further $450 million in Wisk Aero, the joint venture between Kitty Hawk and Boeing to develop electric aerial taxis. The investment is intended to further the development of Wisk’s sixth-generation eVTOL and fund preparations for the start of series production.
According to the company, which was founded in 2020, the further investment of the equivalent of around €400 million makes Wisk “one of the most well-funded Advanced Air Mobility (AAM) companies in the world”. Within five years of the certification of its sixth-generation aircraft, Wisk intends to operate one of the industry’s largest fleets of autonomous eVTOL aircraft.
“Wisk is extremely well-positioned to deliver on our long-term strategy and commitment to safe, everyday flight for everyone,” said Wisk CEO Gary Gysin. “As we enter this next stage of our growth, this additional funding provides us with capital while allowing us to remain focused on our core business and our number one priority, safety.”
Marc Allen, Boeing’s chief strategy officer, added: “With this investment, we are reconfirming our belief in Wisk’s business and the importance of their work in pioneering all-electric, AI-driven, autonomous capability for the aerospace industry. Autonomy is the key to unlocking scale across all AAM applications, from passenger to cargo and beyond.”
Boeing is thus taking the lead role in Wisk, but its other joint venture partner Kitty Hawk remains “an investor and has supported the development of Wisk’s previous generations of aircraft”, according to the statement. Kitty Hawk is funded by Google co-founder Larry Page, among others.
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