Archer, Anduril Self-Flying Aircraft Could Serve as ‘Loyal Wingman’

Partners unveil autonomous Thunder and Halo models with common hardware and software.

Jack Daleo

Monday, July 27, 2026 at 02:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Archer and Anduril’s Thunder is the defense variant of the autonomous, hybrid-electric, runway-independent aircraft platform the partners jointly developed. [Credit: Archer Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Archer Aviation and Anduril have unveiled a new autonomous, hybrid-electric, runway-independent aircraft platform designed for both defense and commercial applications.
The platform features two variants: "Thunder" for defense, intended as an autonomous attack rotorcraft or "loyal wingman," and "Halo" for civil operations such as high-payload cargo, medical transport, and offshore energy.
Both variants share core systems, utilize dual tiltrotors for optimized efficiency and reduced noise, are compact for transport, and are designed for low-cost, high-volume production, with Thunder's first flight planned for 2027.

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California-based Archer Aviation and Anduril have unveiled an autonomous, hybrid-electric, runway-independent aircraft platform—one the partners believe could handle commercial cargo operations or serve as a “loyal wingman” for crewed fighter jets, among other uses.

Archer CEO and founder Adam Goldstein in a statement described the new platform, built around the manufacturer’s powertrain and vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) technology, as the “most sophisticated vertical lift aircraft ever made.” At the Farnborough International Airshow in the U.K. this past week, Archer and Anduril unveiled two variants—Thunder and Halo—that they jointly developed for defense and civil operators, respectively.