Tooling load-in is underway at Archer’s high-volume manufacturing facility, ahead of the planned start of initial production in early 2025. (Photo courtesy Archer)
The company is planning to begin production of its all-electric, vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft at the Covington facility early this year.
COVINGTON, Ga.—Archer Aviation Inc. recently completed construction of its high-volume manufacturing facility in Covington, the planned production site of Archer’s all-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, Midnight.
Archer received the certificate of occupancy for the approximately 400,000-square-foot aircraft manufacturing facility—referred to as ARC—and held a commemorative ribbon cutting ceremony in December, the company said in a release.
At the time of this writing, Archer was working to complete tooling load-in for the initial manufacturing line at the facility, which is connected to the Covington Municipal Airport in Georgia. Production is planned to begin in early 2025, with the goal of ramping to a rate of two aircraft per month by the end of the year, according to the release.
Archer built ARC in close partnership with the auto manufacturer Stellantis. The two companies are working to finalize an agreement whereby Stellantis would work with Archer as its exclusive contract manufacturer to mass produce Archer’s Midnight eVTOL aircraft at the facility. As the two companies progress their plans, Stellantis is contributing capital, advanced manufacturing technology and expertise, and experienced personnel.
The goal is to scale the facility to 650 aircraft annually by 2030, Archer stated in the release.
“The completion of this facility is a testament to the state of the industry—shifting from R&D into commercialization,” said Adam Goldstein, Archer’s founder and CEO, in the release. “With construction on ARC now complete, our team is focused on the start of production planned for early next year. From there, it’s all about execution and scaling. I’m incredibly proud of the Archer team and our partners for getting this done so fast and on budget and can’t wait to see our facility begin producing aircraft.”
Archer’s Midnight aircraft is designed to offer passengers a sustainable, low-noise, and safe alternative to ground transportation in congested cities around the world.
“Supporting Archer’s electric aircraft growth with our deep manufacturing expertise is a great opportunity for the two companies,” said Stellantis Chief Manufacturing and Supply Chain Officer Arnaud Deboeuf, in the release. “Congratulations to the Archer team for this milestone. It is a significant step in our journey together as we take clean mobility to the sky.”
In a statement, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp offered congratulations to “Archer, the Covington community, and all the hardworking Georgians who will find meaningful employment at this campus.”
“When we announced Archer’s choice to build this new manufacturing facility in Newton County, we knew it was just the start of an incredible relationship,” he said in the release. “Today’s announcement marks the next step in that journey, reaffirming Georgia’s commitment to working with innovative companies like Archer to create quality jobs and opportunities for years to come.”