Archer plans UK eVTOL engineering hub expansion

Archer Aviation released plans to establish a new UK engineering hub in South West England. Through a newly formed UK subsidiary, the company plans to build and scale a local engineering team to support its growing activities in the region.

The announcement follows last week’s confirmation of collaboration between Anduril UK and GKN Aerospace in support of the British Army’s Project NYX and the Ministry of Defence’s Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform programme. That work will also include the exploration of further opportunities at GKN Aerospace’s Isle of Wight airframe production facility. As a world-leading UK-based aerospace manufacturer, GKN Aerospace will work alongside Archer and Anduril, with Archer contributing its latest advances in eVTOL aircraft development and hybrid propulsion to meet the British Army’s operational needs.

Archer also confirmed that Dr Limhi Somerville, one of the UK’s most experienced eVTOL engineering leaders, will join the company in early 2026. Somerville joins from Vertical Aerospace, where he spent six years and most recently led the company’s engineering programme. He previously held engineering and research roles at Jaguar Land Rover and the University of Warwick.

Dr Limhi Somerville stated: “Archer is pairing realistic innovation with the capital, manufacturing capabilities, and strategic partnerships required to actually deliver next-generation aerospace and defence technologies at scale. The opportunity to support the development of their dual-use vertical lift platform is compelling. I’m excited to get to work.”

The expansion aligns with recent remarks from the UK’s Minister for Defence Procurement and Industry on the defence sector’s role in long-term economic growth. Working alongside Anduril UK and GKN Aerospace, Archer plans to invest in local engineering talent and create high-skill roles aligned with UK defence priorities.