South Korean military signs deal to turn flying taxis into troop transports and the US Air Force could be next in line

Date:
Wed, 05 Aug 2026 20:05:00 +0000

Description:
South Korea will adapt Archer's Midnight flying taxi for military missions while supporting certification work and future commercial air mobility development.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Korean Air and Archer will modify the Midnight eVTOL for military use Archer handles technical support and certification assistance for the military version Midnight eVTOL carries four passengers and travels roughly 100 miles per charge South Korea is
moving ahead with plans to adapt electric flying taxis for military missions after Korean Air reached an agreement with California-based Archer Aviation.

Rather than developing an entirely new aircraft, both companies will modify Archer's existing Midnight eVTOL platform to meet South Korean military standards. The Midnight eVTOL platform has previously been evaluated by the
US Air Force, prompting speculation that the service could eventually pursue
a similar aircraft. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here: Existing aircraft could speed military deployment Korean Air will oversee modifications required for military operations, while Archer Aviation will provide technical support together with assistance throughout the required airworthiness certification process.

The modification plan will shorten deployment timelines and also reduce some engineering and certification challenges facing both companies. You may like Andruil unveils autonomous attack rotorcraft - could Thunder be the future of warfare as we know it? US startup founded by former teenage drone racers just won one of the Pentagon's biggest small-drone deals USAF's Autonomous AI fighter drone just fired a 'real' AMRAAM air-to-air missile in a world first

The military version is expected to support troop transportation, cargo delivery, medical evacuation, search and rescue missions, and other special operations.

This military model is also required to support flexible short-range air mobility capabilities. Are you a pro? Subscribe to our newsletter Sign up to the TechRadar Pro newsletter to get all the top news, opinion, features and guidance your business needs to succeed! Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from us on behalf of our trusted partners
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Midnight eVTOL currently carries four passengers, travels approximately 100 miles (161 Km), and reaches maximum speeds approaching 150 miles (241 Km) per hour.

These performance figures place the aircraft within a category suitable for relatively short missions.

The agreement also arrives as several armed forces continue exploring
electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft for missions requiring quieter operations and greater flexibility What to read next US Navy plans for 'Air Wing of the Future' with next-generation, pilotless carrier-based 1,150-mile-range drones to fly alongside manned aircraft A stratospheric balloon could become a high-altitude drone carrier, capable of loitering for weeks and launching solar-powered UAVs US buys 2000 F-Drones F10 attack UAVs from Ukraine as the Pentagon moves to its next phase Military partnership could influence South Korea's wider aviation plans The agreement also extends beyond military transport because both companies expect certification work to support South Korea's broader ambitions for advanced air mobility (AAM) development.

"Military AAM development represents a blue ocean opportunity for Korea to secure leadership in future core aviation power and industry dominance," a Korean Air official said.

"Building on our cooperation with Archer, we aim to seize this critical
window for AAM development and build a new model for defense exports."

Archer's ongoing certification process with the US Federal Aviation Administration could provide technical data helping South Korea establish its own certification framework for eVTOL aircraft.

That experience could also benefit the Korean Urban Air Mobility program, which plans to introduce commercial flying taxi services across South Korea during 2028.

Korean Air believes technical knowledge gained from the Midnight project
could assist regulators while supporting future commercial operations using similar electric aircraft.

Military demand may also help companies improve production capabilities
before commercial operators begin placing larger orders for advanced air mobility platforms.

Neither company has announced when military deliveries could begin, leaving certification schedules and procurement timelines still awaiting further clarification from both governments.

Via The Korean Herald Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/pro/south-korean-military-signs-deal-to-turn-flying- taxis-into-troop-transports-and-the-us-air-force-could-be-next-in-line


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