Archer shares rise as Anduril defense aircraft is unveiled

Archer Aviation shares rose sharply Monday after the company introduced Thunder, an autonomous vertical takeoff and landing aircraft developed with defense technology group Anduril. CNBC market data showed Archer stock up 18.47%, while CNBC reported the shares had rallied more than 12% after the announcement.

Chief Executive Adam Goldstein told CNBC at the Farnborough Air Show in the U.K. that Archer remains focused on winning certification for its air taxis in time for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. “It’s always been an ambitious goal,” Goldstein said. “It’s still an ambitious goal, but we’re certainly going to try our hardest to get there.”

The Thunder aircraft is designed for defense use and can take off and land vertically, a capability intended to reduce reliance on traditional runways. Archer and Anduril said the platform is autonomous and is meant to operate alongside crewed aircraft and helicopters. The companies first announced their partnership in 2024.

Archer is best known for electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, or eVTOLs, built for urban air travel. These aircraft use rotors or similar lift systems to rise vertically before transitioning to forward flight, a structure intended to move passengers across congested cities without airport-style infrastructure. The commercial model depends on aviation certification, airspace approvals, charging and landing sites, and public acceptance.

Those requirements have slowed the sector. CNBC reported that regulatory and infrastructure obstacles have pushed out certification timelines for Archer and other eVTOL developers. Goldstein told CNBC that the company’s effort to begin flights around the Los Angeles Olympics remains difficult but is still the target.

Defense route offers a different approval path

Archer’s defense work places the company in a market where U.S. military buyers are increasing spending on battlefield technology and artificial intelligence tools, according to CNBC. Goldstein described defense as a large opportunity for Archer, citing heightened geopolitical tensions outside the United States.

He also said military applications do not need the same certification process required for commercial passenger service. That distinction matters because civilian aviation certification is a formal safety approval process before aircraft can carry paying passengers, while defense procurement and deployment can follow different rules depending on the mission and customer.

Goldstein told CNBC that Archer sees defense uses as valuable for military personnel. “The applications we can bring in the defense world are quite impressive and very much needed for the warfighter,” he said.

Policy support for eVTOL testing

CNBC reported that Archer and its peers have benefited in recent months from President Donald Trump’s eVTOL pilot program, which is intended to speed deployment and includes testing across 26 states. Goldstein said such testing is central to building confidence among the public and regulators.

“This is really critical to gaining the trust of the public and the trust of the regulators that will ultimately lead to our certification,” Goldstein told CNBC. He added that the step would be critical for meeting the company’s stated timeline.

The dual focus on commercial air taxis and military aircraft gives Archer two distinct tracks for its technology. The civilian plan depends on certification and urban infrastructure, while the Anduril project targets defense missions where autonomy and vertical lift may have earlier operational uses.

This story draws on original reporting from CNBC.