Archer has acquired SkyGrid, a Boeing Company, for an undisclosed amount. The deal transfers ownership of SkyGrid’s airspace management technology and its Austin, Texas-based team to Archer, which will integrate the assets into its own aircraft development operations.
SkyGrid specializes in flight operations software and cooperative traffic management services designed for uncrewed aircraft and advanced aerial mobility vehicles. Its core work focuses on building digital infrastructure that supports the safe integration of autonomous aircraft into national airspace, a capability that has been developed under Boeing’s ownership. Archer, an electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft manufacturer, is developing its own eVTOL aircraft for urban air mobility and has been working toward commercial passenger service.
The acquisition gives Archer direct control over a layer of technology that is critical for scaling its planned operations. Rather than relying on third-party providers for airspace integration, Archer will now own the software stack that manages flight coordination, safety approvals, and traffic deconfliction for its aircraft. This is expected to shorten development timelines and reduce dependency on external vendors as Archer moves toward certification and eventual fleet deployment.
For Boeing, the sale offloads a subsidiary that, while technologically advanced, was not central to its core commercial and defense aerospace businesses. The transaction allows Boeing to streamline its portfolio while keeping a commercial relationship with Archer, which will continue to use Boeing’s broader aerospace ecosystem where relevant.
The combined entity will now work on aligning SkyGrid’s existing software with Archer’s aircraft architecture, with initial integration efforts focused on flight testing and regulatory submissions. Archer has stated that the SkyGrid team will remain in Austin, and the technology will be adapted to support both Archer’s current aircraft and future autonomous variants. The first practical outcomes are likely to appear in the company’s upcoming test campaigns, where the acquired systems will be used to manage flight operations in controlled airspace.