California's Anduril and Archer Aviation join forces to build muscular attack drones
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Set us as preferred Two of California’s boldest aerospace innovators joined forces to unveil an autonomous attack aircraft Monday.Anduril Industries, a military technology company based in Costa Mesa, approached the San José-based air taxi venture Archer Aviation two years ago with a concept for a dual-use, self-flying rotorcraft.The jointly developed hybrid-electric aircraft is designed to serve both defense and commercial purposes.
Anduril showcased the defense variant, dubbed Thunder, on the first day of the Farnborough International Airshow outside of London on Monday.Business As they compete to make flying cars a reality, air taxi companies Archer and Joby are involved in a complex legal battle that has spanned half a year.Archer plans to announce the first customers for the commercial variant later this week, the company said in a release.
Thunder is an autonomous attack aircraft that can carry missiles or rockets, patrol airspace and carry cargo.The aircraft uses vertical takeoff and landing, a technology essential to Archer’s air taxis, along with rotors and wings.
The aircraft will be able to operate well above 18,000 feet, but is designed to work close to the ground in combat with human-piloted military vehicles.“Maneuver warfare hinges on the ability to exploit an adversary’s weaknesses through principles like speed, agility, reach, and decisive mass,” Anduril said in a statement.
“Thunder is purpose-built for the new geometry of battlefield maneuver.”Anduril is targeting 2027 for Thunder’s first flight and has completed multiple test flights with a full-scale surrogate aircraft.It has not announced a price.
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