Archer Introduces Halo, Its New Commercial Autonomous VTOL Developed in Partnership with Anduril

Archer Aviation Introduces Halo Autonomous VTOL Platform

Archer Aviation has announced the launch of Halo, a commercial variant of a dual-use platform developed in collaboration with Anduril Industries. The unveiling took place on July 22, 2026, at the Farnborough International Airshow, following Anduril’s introduction of Thunder, the defense variant. Both aircraft share a common airframe, hybrid powertrain, and core systems, with payload configurations adaptable to specific mission requirements.

Overview of the Halo Platform

The Halo platform is the culmination of eight years of development and flight testing in the eVTOL sector, initially advanced through Archer’s Midnight passenger eVTOL program. It features a clean-sheet design that integrates a series hybrid-electric powertrain with dual optimum-speed tiltrotors. This design aims to provide extended range and endurance while maintaining efficiency and reducing noise during operations, particularly in suburban areas.

Key features of the Halo platform include:

• Hybrid powertrain designed for long-range capabilities.
• Configurable payload options based on mission needs.
• Ability to be transported in standard shipping containers.
• Manufacturing processes leveraging commercial supply chains.

According to Archer, Halo combines capabilities not found in existing unmanned aircraft, including long range, high speed, heavy modular payload, series hybrid-electric propulsion, full autonomy, and vertical takeoff and landing.

Insights from Archer’s Leadership

Adam Goldstein, founder and CEO of Archer, emphasized the extensive engineering and testing that has gone into the platform. He stated, “Over the past eight years we’ve engineered, tested and scaled the technology this platform is built on. The powertrain, the batteries, the motors, the manufacturing. We partnered with Anduril to take all of that knowledge and build something new: a clean-sheet aircraft in a completely different class of range, speed and payload.”

Targeted Commercial Applications

Halo is aimed at various commercial logistics sectors that require the transport of heavy payloads over long distances. Potential applications include:

• Offshore energy resupply for oil, gas, and wind platforms.
• Heavy, time-sensitive freight transport between hubs and distribution points.
• Humanitarian and medical cargo deliveries, including wildfire logistics and hospital supplies.
• Maritime missions.

The commercial rollout of Halo follows Archer’s recent initiatives in the eVTOL Integration Pilot Program with U.S. cities and its previous collaboration with Anduril. Archer has appointed Marubeni Aerospace Corporation as its strategic launch partner for Halo, with plans to identify additional partners later in 2026. Marubeni Aerospace, part of one of Japan’s largest trading companies, will assist in market research and use case identification for the platform.

Satoru Nakagawa, president and CEO of Marubeni Aerospace Corporation, noted the advantages of Halo’s autonomous capabilities, stating, “Currently, even in cargo transport operations that do not require onboard crew, flights are conducted with human pilots, absorbing the cost, scheduling constraints and human exposure that come with it. Halo’s unmanned, autonomous flight capabilities can address these challenges.”