Archer Aviation unveils autonomous VTOL platform with Anduril, shares jump ~20%

David Jagielski, CPA, The Motley Fool Mon, July 27, 2026 at 5:30 AM PDT 3 min read

Shares of Archer Aviation (NYSE: ACHR) have been rising recently after the company announced new aircraft developed through its partnership with Anduril, a defense technology and autonomous systems company. The news marks a significant development for Archer, an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) stock that has struggled for much of the year.

Archer's CEO is optimistic about the opportunities this partnership could unlock. However, despite the positive announcement, the eVTOL stock remains down 37% year to date. Could now be the right time to buy?

Archer Unveils Thunder and Halo

Last week, Archer announced details of a new autonomous VTOL platform developed with Anduril, designed for both commercial and defense applications. Key highlights include:

• Thunder: A defense-focused variant offering speed, range, and payload capacity suited for military use, while maintaining cost efficiency. Archer expects Thunder's first flight to take place next year.
• Halo: A commercial variant also developed with Anduril. Like Thunder, it will be autonomous and capable of handling heavy payloads.

Archer has already been working on certifying its piloted eVTOL aircraft, Midnight, which is designed for air taxi services.

In announcing the news, Archer CEO Adam Goldstein stated: "This is the most sophisticated vertical lift aircraft platform ever developed—it's exactly what our customers need." The opportunities could be substantial for Archer, particularly in the defense sector, where demand is often high.

Is Archer's Stock Destined to Soar Higher?

Archer's stock rose approximately 20% on the day it announced Thunder and the Anduril program.

However, the market remains cautious. While the opportunities are significant, so too are the risks and uncertainties. Archer's aircraft still requires certification, and until the company begins manufacturing at scale, it will be difficult to assess how long it may take to become profitable in this capital-intensive industry. Archer's losses have also been growing, totaling $743 million over the trailing 12 months.

The eVTOL stock may be an appealing option for growth investors, but this investment will clearly require patience. It will take time for Archer to generate meaningful revenue, and even longer before it has any prospect of achieving profitability. Still, with its expanding opportunities—particularly through the new platform developed with Anduril—Archer's stock appears to have significant upside and room for growth.

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