Archer Aviation and defense technology firm Anduril revealed their jointly developed autonomous aircraft platform on Monday. This move reflects how aerospace startups are forming partnerships to cut development expenses and speed commercialization.

The platform stems from a 2024 agreement and targets both commercial and military uses.

Anduril presented the defense version named Thunder on Monday at the Farnborough Airshow. This Group 5 autonomous attack rotorcraft is meant to operate alongside current and future crewed attack and assault aircraft.

Archer CEO Adam Goldstein explained to Reuters that the company created a purpose-built aircraft instead of modifying an existing one.

"Anduril has excelled at spotting requirements and developing solutions ahead of program announcements. They pinpointed a need and we constructed a tailored aircraft for it," Goldstein said.

"Products intended for broad defense applications must be designed and optimized for that exact customer and scenario."

Archer, known for electric air taxis, will reveal its commercial variant and name the platform's first commercial customers later this week.

Electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft developers are seeking growth beyond urban air taxi services. Once viewed as a trillion-dollar opportunity, the sector now faces certification delays, infrastructure challenges and high capital needs.

Thunder is intended for "anyone who operates Apache, anyone who operates armed reconnaissance helicopters," said Shane Arnott, Anduril Industries senior vice president of programs and engineering.

Air taxi firms are also adopting hybrid-electric propulsion to increase range and mission flexibility beyond short urban routes, aiming for wider markets and reduced losses.

The Archer-Anduril platform features a series hybrid-electric powertrain and tilt rotors that adjust speed across flight conditions. It supports missions such as military strikes, cargo transport, remote logistics and operations from austere sites.

For Archer the partnership opens doors to defense and heavier commercial markets amid uncertainty in the air-taxi sector.

The companies have conducted multiple test flights with full-scale surrogate aircraft to validate key systems. Thunder's first flight is scheduled for 2027.