Anduril and Archer unveil VTOL Thunder at Farnborough

A new autonomous military aircraft designed to operate alongside crewed attack helicopters was unveiled at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 20, 2026. Defense technology company Anduril and electric aircraft developer Archer Aviation jointly presented "Thunder," a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft built on a clean-sheet, dual-use platform also intended for commercial applications.

The aircraft represents a significant shift in the eVTOL industry, moving beyond the initial focus on urban air taxis toward broader defense and logistics missions. Thunder is a Group 5 autonomous tiltrotor that uses a series hybrid-electric powertrain and dual tiltrotors, which adjust speed to improve efficiency and reduce its acoustic signature during low-altitude flight. This design allows it to take off and land vertically without a runway and transition to efficient wingborne cruise for greater speed and range than traditional helicopters.

Officials stated the aircraft is designed as a "loyal wingman" to multiply the combat power of existing platforms like the AH-64 Apache. It is intended to carry heavy modular payloads, including missiles, rockets, counter-drone systems,...