Air taxi startup Archer announces battery testing cooperation with NASA
According to an announcement by Archer, the goal of the partnership is to allow NASA to test and evaluate Archer’s battery system designs, in order to advance Advanced Air Mobility (AAM). At the end of 2022, Archer presented the serial version of its electric aerial taxi ‘Midnight‘. The aircraft has a range of up to 32 kilometres and a carry load limit of over 400 kg. With a charging time of only ten minutes, the vehicle is intended for short-distance transport.
“We’re extremely proud to partner with NASA, who has pioneered the eVTOL industry over the last 3+ decades, in support of our collective mission to ensure U.S. leadership in aerospace continues for decades to come,” said Adam Goldstein, Archer’s Founder and CEO. “Many countries around the world are challenging the U.S. in this new era of flight and our country is at risk of losing its global leadership position unless we work together, government and industry, to ensure we seize the moment and pioneer this new era of aviation technology, which stands to benefit all Americans.”
In early 2023, Archer had announced that it had received a special flight certification by the FAA. The “Special Airworthiness Certificate” signalled that the Midnight fulfilled all safety requirements and the door was open for flight tests. Archer then announced that it would aim to receive full certification for commercial flight operations by 2025.
Archer also plans to commission a production facility in Covington, Georgia, together with Stellantis in early to mid-2024. The electric flying cab startup also closed a new financing round of 215 million US dollars in August. United Airlines, Boeing, ARK Invest and others also participated in the round led by Archer partner Stellantis. Archer has now raised a total of 1.1 billion US dollars in capital.
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