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TheTechno Optimist.

MidnightArcher Aviation—

Archer Aviation

Midnight air taxi, UAE launch, military hybrid

USpublicest. 2018archer.com (opens archer.com)Checked 25 Sep

The brief

Analyst view
  • In 2026 the UAE put Midnight on a path to a limited safety approval, the first air taxi to get one.
  • Carmaker Stellantis builds with Archer and invests; United Airlines placed an early order.
  • Named official air taxi provider of the LA28 Olympics.

Technical approach

As reported
Lift + cruise

12 propellers, 6 tilt

Six rear propellers only lift and stop in cruise; six front ones tilt to lift and push forward. Simpler, but the stopped ones add drag and weight.

Short trips

Optimised for back-to-back hops

Midnight is sized for 20–50 mile trips flown back-to-back with quick charges in between, not long range.

Manufacturing

Automotive partner

Stellantis brings car-factory know-how and money to Archer's plant in Georgia.

Programs

Archer Aviation, one program

Updated 7 May 2026
MidnightAn electric air taxi for a pilot and four passengers, with twelve propellers on a high wing, built for short city trips at about 150 mph.PilotNextUAE limited safety-approval program · 2026Updated 7 May 2026View program →
Research · Proto · Pilot · Deploy · Scaling

Research & demos

1 item

Open technical problems

Open · Active · Partial
  • Fast charging and battery lifeActive research

    Many short trips mean frequent fast charging, which heats batteries and wears them out sooner.

  • Slower on FAA approvalOpen

    Archer is behind Joby with the FAA and is relying on the UAE to start service first.

Upcoming catalysts

Company-wide
  • Jul2028LA28 Olympics: Archer, the Games' official air-taxi provider, plans to fly Midnight in Los AngelesMidnightby ~22 mo

Peers

Air taxis · 4

Company & funding

HQ
US
Founded
2018

Partners & customers

1 investor · 2 customers · 1 partner

People

Key people
Primer