Archer Aviation has entered a new collaboration with Karem Aircraft to integrate advanced military-grade rotors and tiltrotor technologies into its next-generation autonomous hybrid VTOL platform. The strategic agreement grants Archer access to Karem’s proven tiltrotor architecture, which has undergone extensive testing and evaluation under US Army programs. By leveraging this expertise, Archer aims to enhance the performance and capability of its future VTOL lineup.
The company plans to merge Karem’s rotor innovations with the patented systems it recently acquired from Overair and Lilium. According to Archer, this combination will help deliver higher cruise speeds, extended operational range, improved payload capacity, and significantly reduced heat and noise signatures. These traits are essential for achieving reliable performance in contested or complex flight conditions across future military environments.
Archer’s expanding defense portfolio includes the Midnight electric VTOL, already delivered to the US Air Force for evaluation and operational testing. Karem’s technologies have similarly demonstrated their value across tactical programs, including applications for the MQ-1 Predator and A160 Hummingbird unmanned platforms. The latest partnership builds on Archer’s ongoing cooperation with Anduril Industries on a classified hybrid-VTOL development effort intended to support a forthcoming Pentagon program.
In a parallel development, Archer secured a contract in November to provide its electric powertrain to the Anduril–EDGE Group joint venture for the Omen unmanned aerial system. This marks the first instance of Archer supplying its flagship powertrain to an external defense project. The UAE-based EDGE Group is expected to procure around 50 Omen units as part of the agreement, further solidifying Archer’s growing presence in the international defense aviation market.
