Archer Aviation and defense technology company Anduril Industries have introduced a new vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) aircraft platform designed for both defense and commercial applications.
The platform was unveiled at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 20, 2026, with the companies presenting Thunder, a defense-focused variant configured as an autonomous Group 5 attack rotorcraft.
Archer, BETA and Macquarie Plan 250-Site U.S. Charging Network for Electric Aircraft by 2030
Hybrid-Electric Platform Targets Multiple Missions
Thunder is powered by a series hybrid-electric propulsion system and features a dual-tiltrotor configuration designed to support operations without conventional runways.
According to the companies, the aircraft adjusts rotor speeds throughout different phases of flight to improve efficiency while reducing power consumption and acoustic signature during low-altitude operations.
The VTOL configuration is intended to allow the aircraft to operate from locations with limited infrastructure.
The platform is also designed to carry modular payloads for a range of military and commercial missions.
Flight Testing Underway
Archer and Anduril said they have already completed multiple flight tests using full-scale surrogate aircraft.
The first flight of the Thunder prototype is scheduled for 2027.
Archer Accuses Joby of Misleading U.S. Government in Counterclaim Over Air Taxi Dispute
Archer added that commercial partners for the civilian version of the platform will be announced separately.
Commercial Technology Applied to Defense
The companies said the aircraft draws on technology developed through Archer’s electric air taxi program, including work on electric propulsion and tiltrotor systems.
“Commercial air taxi technology was central to Thunder’s operational value proposition,” said Shane Arnott, Senior Vice President at Anduril.
“The platform required a clean-sheet design built from first principles to meet the demands of both commercial and defense missions,” said Adam Goldstein, founder and chief executive officer of Archer Aviation.
The companies said the program is intended to serve both commercial and defense markets through a common aircraft architecture, although the two applications will operate under different regulatory and certification requirements.
Archer to Equip Electric Air Taxis With Starlink Satellite Internet