US-based electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft developer Archer Aviation has unveiled plans to launch a new engineering hub in southwest England under its newly established UK subsidiary.
The move is part of the company's partnership with local aerospace and defence firms Anduril UK and GKN Aerospace.
The new hub will initially support its defence partnerships, but Archer said it will look to explore further opportunities at GKN Aerospace's Isle of Wight airframe production facility.
“Archer's plans to open a UK engineering hub underscores our commitment to being an integral part of the next-generation of aerospace and defence in the country,” said Archer's founder and CEO Adam Goldstein.
To lead the engineering efforts at the new facility, Archer has hired leading eVTOL engineer Limhi Somerville. He joins from Vertical Aerospace where he spent six years in engineering leadership roles.
“Archer is pairing realistic innovation with the capital, manufacturing capabilities, and strategic partnerships required to actually deliver next-generation aerospace and defence technologies at scale,” said Somerville.
“The opportunity to support the development of their dual-use vertical lift platform is compelling.”