Archer sue eVTOL rivals Vertical, claiming patent infringement

Archer sue eVTOL rivals Vertical, claiming patent infringement

by | Feb 25, 2026 | Innovation

Archer Aviation have sued British rivals Vertical Aerospace, claiming the company’s latest Valo eVTOL design infringes the patent for their Midnight air taxi.

The California-based company has been ramping up testing of Midnight as it plans for certification from the Federal Aviation Authority (AAM). A spokesperson for Archer argued:

After years of developing its VX4 aircraft, Vertical has abandoned that design and unveiled a new aircraft, Valo, which is a visual mimic of Archer’s Midnight aircraft’s award-winning industrial design.

They added that Vertical had ‘knowingly, willfully’ copied Archer’s designs, including flight control systems and methods for managing battery power and flight propulsion. Vertical have dismissed Archer’s lawsuit as ‘without merit’, asserting that the company are attempting to distract the media from wider problems associated with its eVTOL development programme.

In a statement, Vertical said:

Archer’s claims are merely an attempt to distract from Archer’s challenges competing in the marketplace. Vertical has developed a robust aircraft design with a clear path to certification, underpinned by Vertical’s proprietary and market-leading technology and international IP portfolio.

Archer and Vertical’s rivalry has grown more intense in recent years as both companies struggle to gain leverage in an increasingly competitive AAM market. In February this year, Archer announced they were establishing a new base in Bristol, UK, the city where Vertical are headquartered. Meanwhile, Vertical challenged Archer and Joby, another competitor in the space, by announcing plans for a New York air taxi network. Neither company is certified in the US, UK, or abroad as both try to prove eVTOL networks can be safe and efficient modes of transport.

Join us at Aerospace Tech Week 2026 to discuss the future of advanced air mobility (AAM).

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eVTOL flies at 7,000 feet in latest Archer test

eVTOL flies at 7,000 feet in latest Archer test

by | Sep 25, 2025 | Innovation

Archer Aviation Inc’s Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) craft flew at 7,000 feet during a recent test in California. This announcement comes as the company seeks FAA certification to deploy its air taxis in the US.

Archer’s expansion programme is testing the limits of eVTOLs, as research suggests higher-altitude capabilities will be needed. While most air taxis are designed to fly between 1,500 and 4,000 feet, they may need to operate at higher altitudes in densely populated areas and high-elevation cities.

Adam Goldstein, Archer’s founder and CEO, said:

I’m proud of the team for consistently proving Midnight’s performance capabilities while maintaining the highest safety standards. Our test pilots will continue to safely and methodically test Midnight’s speed, duration, and mission profiles to prepare for early commercial operations.

While FAA approval pends, Archer secured fast-track approval for operating its air taxis in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in May 2025. Typically, private aircraft in the UAE need to be certified by the FAA, EASA, or Transport Canada. However, the UAE’s General Civil Aviation Authority (GCAA) has signed a strategic partnership with Archer to bypass these regulations and accelerate the commercial future of eVTOLs in the Arabian Gulf.

Aviation Week Network forecasts that 1,000 eVTOL vehicle deliveries will take place in 2030, more conservative figures than stated elsewhere. Overcoming certification and infrastructure hurdles will be key to the dream of advanced air mobility (AAM) becoming a reality. Archer’s current run of tests hope to demonstrate the technical capabilities of its aircraft and acclerate the critical regulatory approvals process.

Join us at Aerospace Tech Week to discuss the future of AAM.

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