# eVTOL Company Acquisitions Archer Aviation Has Acquired Former Rival Wisk Aero From Boeing By Adam Harrie | Published 2026-08-10 | Autos Source: Trend Hunter, https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/archer-aviation References: [techcrunch](https://techcrunch.com/2026/08/10/archer-buys-former-rival-wisk-aero/) & [wisk.aero](https://wisk.aero/newsroom/archeracquireswisk)  Archer Aviation has acquired Wisk Aero, formerly known as Archer Aviation, from Boeing, along with subsidiaries SkyGrid and Insitu, in a deal that gives Boeing newly issued Archer shares equal to about 16.5% ownership of the company. This acquisition marks the capstone of a rivalry, coming three years after Wisk sued Archer for alleged trade secret theft in a legal battle that led to a settlement making Wisk the exclusive provider of [autonomous technology](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autonomous-vehicle-innovation) to Archer. Wisk originated as Kittyhawk before its Cora flying taxi program spun off into a Boeing joint venture in 2019, with Boeing eventually investing hundreds of millions and taking full ownership by 2023. Archer, meanwhile, has expanded beyond [air taxis](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/l-aerospace-valo) into defense applications through a partnership with Anduril. Archer's [acquisition of Wisk](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/ouster-acquired-stereolabs) signals that former competitors are increasingly combining resources to drive innovation in the sector. Image Credit: Wisk Aero ## Trend Insights (Trend Hunter) - Score: 7.2/10 - Popularity: 58% | Activity: 69% | Freshness: 90% - Audience gender: 90% men, 10% women - Primary generations: Millennial, Gen X - Top markets: North America, South America, Europe, Asia ## Categories [Trend Hunter](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends) > [Autos](https://www.trendhunter.com/autos) ## Key Themes ### Key Themes Behind This Trend - **Rival Consolidation:** Former competitors in advanced aviation are merging assets and intellectual property, creating faster pathways for commercialization in capital-intensive mobility markets. - **Autonomous Air Mobility:** Integrated autonomy platforms are becoming central to eVTOL strategies, with software-defined flight systems reshaping safety, scalability, and operating economics. - **Dual-use Aviation:** Defense partnerships are broadening the role of electric aircraft beyond urban transport, linking civilian mobility innovation with military logistics and surveillance needs. ### Where This Applies - **Advanced Air Mobility:** Consolidated eVTOL portfolios can reduce duplication and accelerate certification, making the sector more attractive for infrastructure partners and fleet operators. - **Aerospace and Defense:** Electric vertical-lift aircraft are expanding strategic options for defense contractors, especially where autonomous systems and distributed operations create new market categories. - **Autonomous Systems:** Flight automation, airspace management, and unmanned operations are converging into a larger platform opportunity for companies serving aviation, logistics, and security applications. ## Related on Trend Hunter - [Defense Company Acquisitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/firefly-aerospace-scitec.md) - [Hybrid eVTOL Power Systems](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/new-horizon-aircraft.md) - [Electric Urban Flights](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/valo-evtol.md) - [Novel Aerial Vehicles](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/star-walkers.md) - [Urban Drone Delivery Networks](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/drone-delivery-services.md) - [Autonomous Driving Software Acquisitions](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/harbinger-phantom-ai.md) - [Autonomous eVTOL Aircraft Models](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/wisk-aero-generation-6-evtol.md) - [Electric Aircraft Purchase Agreements](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/sigma-air.md) - [Modular eVTOL Platform](https://www.trendhunter.com/trends/autoflight-prosperity.md)