Archer Sues eVTOL Rival Vertical for Patent Infringement | Aviation International News

Archer Sues eVTOL Rival Vertical for Patent Infringement

Plaintiff claims UK company copied its Midnight design

Vertical Valo and Archer Midnight — Archer claims that Vertical Aerospace has at least three violated patents it holds for its Midnight eVTOL aircraft (right) in the design of its new Valo model (left).

By Charles Alcock • Managing Editor

By Charlotte Bailey • News Reporter

February 24, 2026

Archer Aviation is suing rival eVTOL aircraft developer Vertical Aerospace over alleged patent infringement. In a lawsuit filed in the Eastern District of Texas, Archer has complained that Vertical’s new Valo design illegally copies its Midnight aircraft.

The case was filed in court on Monday and acknowledged by California-based Archer on Tuesday. Vertical has refuted Archer's allegations and said it will defend the case "vigorously."

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