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Archer Accuses Vertical of Stealing Air Taxi Designs
24 Feb
Summary
- Archer Aviation sued Vertical Aerospace for patent infringement.
- Both companies design similar four-passenger electric air taxis.
- Legal battles are increasing as air taxi companies near certification.
Archer Aviation has initiated legal proceedings against Vertical Aerospace, alleging patent infringement. The lawsuit, filed in the US District Court Eastern District of Texas, claims Vertical copied Archer's "Midnight" air taxi design for its own "Valo" vehicle. Archer seeks to halt the use of the allegedly copied designs and other patents.
Vertical Aerospace, founded in 2016, is developing its four-passenger, zero-emission "Valo" aircraft, targeting air readiness certification by 2028. Archer's "Midnight" aircraft shares similar specifications, including electric motors, tilt-rotor propellers, a 150 mph cruising speed, and a 100-mile range. Archer contends that Vertical's design choices amount to willful misappropriation of its intellectual property.
This legal skirmish occurs as the air taxi industry matures, with multiple companies vying for regulatory approval. Archer, based in San Jose, has secured key operational certificates from the FAA. UK-based Vertical is working towards EASA and UK type certification by 2028. Both firms require certification before launching commercial operations.
The air taxi sector has seen other legal challenges. Wisk Aero sued Archer in 2021 over trade secrets, a case settled in 2023. More recently, Joby Aviation filed a corporate espionage suit against Archer in November 2025.
