Archer Midnight
Archer Aviation · United States · first flew 2023 · transport aircraft
The Archer Midnight is an electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft designed for urban air mobility, using 12 tilting electric rotors for lift and a fixed wing for efficient cruise flight.
Recognition (WEFT)
| W — Wings | Low-mounted, tapered |
|---|---|
| E — Engines | 2 × turboshaft, wing-mounted |
| F — Fuselage | 11 m fuselage |
| T — Tail | Conventional |
WEFT is AircraftIQ's four-point recognition method — how it works.
Spot it by:
- 12 tilting electric rotors arranged along the fixed wing leading edge for vertical lift
- Clean fixed-wing airframe with a conventional tail — cruise is on the wing, not the rotors
- Distinctive open rotor frames fold against the wing in cruise, reducing drag
A light, slender fixed-wing aircraft with six tilting rotor frames on each side of the wing leading edge. In hover the rotors tilt upward; in cruise they lie flat, giving the wing a distinctive frilled leading edge. The tail is a conventional cruciform.
Specifications
- The Archer Midnight has a length of 11 m (36 ft).
- It has a wingspan of 12 m (39 ft).
- Its maximum speed is 241 km/h (150 mph).
- Typical crew: 1 pilot, up to 4 passengers.
Figures are for the representative variant described above; marks differ. See how AircraftIQ sources figures.
History
Archer Aviation was founded in 2018 and publicly unveiled the Midnight aircraft in 2022 as the production-intent follow-on to its Maker prototype. First flight of Midnight occurred in 2023, and the company has been conducting an extensive flight test campaign aimed at FAA type certification. United Airlines has placed a pre-order for up to 200 aircraft.
Variants
Midnight is the sole production-intent configuration; the earlier Maker demonstrator validated the tilting-rotor concept.
Where you'll see it
Not yet in commercial service; Archer targets urban air taxi operations in major US cities pending FAA certification expected in the mid-2020s.
Related aircraft
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