GKN Aerospace to Build Wing Structures for Archer Midnight eVTOL Aircraft

GKN Aerospace to Build Wing Structures for Archer Midnight eVTOL Aircraft

(IN BRIEF) GKN Aerospace has broadened its collaboration with Archer Aviation to include the manufacture and supply of wing structures for the Midnight eVTOL air taxi, in addition to supplying low-voltage EWIS since 2023. Midnight, a four-passenger electric air taxi with twelve redundant engines, aims for airline-grade safety and zero in-flight emissions. GKN will produce the high-performance wings at its Bristol Global Technology Centre and other European sites, utilizing advanced aerostructure manufacturing techniques to meet certification standards. This partnership deepens Archer’s UK engagement and supports both firms’ goals of industrializing sustainable electric flight.

(PRESS RELEASE) BIRMINGHAM, 16-Jun-2025 — /EuropaWire/ — GKN Aerospace and Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR) have announced an expanded partnership to manufacture and supply critical airframe components for the production ramp-up of Archer’s Midnight electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. Building on GKN’s role as a supplier of low-voltage Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS) since 2023, this collaboration will see GKN’s UK facilities fabricate Midnight’s wings, supporting Archer’s commercial launch and underscoring both companies’ dedication to sustainable aviation.

Midnight is a piloted electric air taxi capable of carrying four passengers with reduced noise and zero in-flight emissions. Its twelve-engine, multi-redundant propulsion design aims to match the safety standards of conventional airliners. Leveraging decades of expertise in lightweight aerostructures, advanced wing technologies, and electrical systems, GKN Aerospace will ensure the wing assemblies meet the stringent performance and certification criteria required for eVTOL operations.

Production work is already underway at GKN Aerospace’s Global Technology Centre in Bristol and at its network of European sites. By applying cutting-edge manufacturing techniques, the teams will deliver wings that integrate seamlessly with Midnight’s innovative powertrain and flight-control systems. This deepened partnership not only strengthens Archer’s UK ties but also accelerates the transition of eVTOL technology from research and development into full-scale industrial production.

“We’re delighted to expand our collaboration with Archer on the groundbreaking Midnight aircraft,” said John Pritchard, President of Civil Airframes at GKN Aerospace. “Combining our world-class airframe capabilities with EWIS expertise will help move the eVTOL market from prototypes to production and pave the way for the future of electric flight.”

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SOURCE: GKN Aerospace