Archer Escalates Air Taxi Rivalry, Claiming Joby Hides China Ties

Archer accuses Joby of undertaking a ‘years-long calculated scheme’ to defraud the U.S. government.

Jack Daleo

Wednesday, March 11, 2026 at 02:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Archer’s first full-scale Midnight air taxi prototype lifts off on its inaugural test flight in October 2023. [Credit: Archer Aviation]

Key Takeaways:

Archer Aviation has accused rival eVTOL manufacturer Joby Aviation of a "years-long calculated scheme" to defraud the U.S. government, public, and investors.
The core allegations include Joby secretly sourcing critical components and receiving support from China, while misleading U.S. regulators about these foreign ties to secure defense contracts and partnerships.
Archer further claims Joby circumvented U.S. tariffs by mislabeling Chinese imports as consumer goods and that its alleged reliance on Chinese ties poses a national security risk.
These accusations are the latest development in a protracted legal dispute between the two direct competitors in the electric air taxi market.

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A protracted legal dispute between two leading U.S. manufacturers of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) air taxis took another turn this week, with one accusing the other of a “years-long calculated scheme” to defraud the U.S. government, public, and investors and competitors.

Archer Aviation on Monday accused rival Joby Aviation of “secretly” sourcing critical components such as batteries from China and receiving Chinese government support. In doing so, Archer claims, Joby won government partnerships—including $131 million in U.S. Air Force contracts—that may have otherwise fallen through due to scrutiny over its foreign ties. Archer further alleges that Joby circumvented U.S. tariffs by mislabeling imports from China.