Autonomous

Archer Aviation aims for eVTOL air taxis to be certified and operational by the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, despite ambitious timelines. The company is also diversifying into defense with the Thunder autonomous VTOL craft, developed with Anduril. This move into military applications, seen as a significant market with potentially faster certification, complements their existing efforts in urban air mobility. Government pilot programs are crucial for expediting eVTOL integration and building public and regulatory trust.

Boeing and the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) have successfully concluded MQ-28 Ghost Bat Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) demonstrations ahead of schedule. The tests validated autonomous behaviors, multi-ship coordination, and seamless integration with manned platforms like the E-7A Wedgetail. Data fusion and transfer between MQ-28s and manned aircraft were also demonstrated. These capabilities will be incorporated into Block 2 aircraft, paving the way for future operational capability. A planned air-to-air weapon shot is scheduled for later this year or early 2026.