To expand technology transition paths and accelerate emerging dual-use capabilities, the US Air Force (UAF) has received its first Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft from California-based Archer Aviation.
The aircraft was delivered to the USAF to evaluate its capabilities as part of its AFWERX Agility Prime contract, which is valued at up to $142 million.
The delivery comes after the US Department of Defense accepted Midnight’s military airworthiness assessment, a critical approval that confirms Midnight’s readiness for flight testing by AFWERX.
This allows AFWERX to conduct government-directed testing of the aircraft for the USAF and validate operational and military-specific mission concepts.
A team of USAF personnel worked alongside Archer’s flight test team to ramp up operations with Midnight at Salinas.
Together, these teams executed simulated medical evacuation, cargo, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance flights.
“This delivery represents a pivotal moment not only for Archer but for the future of military aviation,” said Adam Goldstein, CEO of Archer Aviation.
“Together, our goal is to prove Midnight’s potential and ensure the United States continues to lead the way with the world’s most advanced technology.”
“Archer’s Midnight aircraft has the potential to significantly enhance our operational capabilities,” said Col. Elliott Leigh, AFWERX Director and Chief Commercialization Officer for the Department of the Air Force.
“We look forward to continuing our work with our industry partners as we explore the ways that this advanced aircraft can contribute to the mission.”
Well-suited for military aviation
With its vertical takeoff and landing capabilities, proprietary electric powertrain, and low noise profile, Archer’s Midnight is well-suited for military aviation operations.
Archer’s Midnight aircraft is expected to provide a much safer, cost-effective, and quieter alternative to existing internal combustion engine options.
As such, it promises to enhance rapid response, agility, and operational effectiveness across a wide range of mission profiles.
In June, Archer Aviation announced that its Midnight plane completed the transition, flying over 1 00 mph .
The Midnight took off vertically and accelerated until it transitioned from thrust-borne to wing-borne flight, cruising on the wing and then landing vertically.
Midnight is a piloted, four-passenger aircraft designed to “perform rapid back-to-back flights with minimal charge time between flights . “
According to the company , Midnight is considered one of the largest eVTOL aircraft to complete transition, critical to carrying commercially viable passenger payloads.
A transition flight occurs when the plane takes off vertically like a helicopter, accelerates forward, and transitions from thrust-borne to wing-borne like an airplane with tilt propellers forward before decelerating and landing vertically.
Looking to increase USAF capabilities
As the innovation arm of the Department of Air Force and a directorate within the Air Force Research Laboratory, AFWERX brings cutting-edge American ingenuity from small businesses and start-ups to address the DAF’s most pressing challenges.
AFWERX employs approximately 370 military, civilian, and contractor personnel at five hubs and sites and executes an annual $1.4 billion budget.
Since 2019, AFWERX has executed over 6,100 new contracts worth more than $4 billion to strengthen the US defense industrial base and drive faster technology transition to operational capability.
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