Archer Successfully Completes Multiple Battery Pack Drop Tests; One of the Most Challenging Tests It Is Set to Face as Part of the FAA’s Type Certification Program
March 28 2024 - 9:00AM
Business Wire
- Archer's recent successful battery pack drop tests signify a
major milestone for Midnight’s program putting Archer in a strong
position to pass this same test in upcoming for-credit testing with
the Federal Aviation Administration (“FAA”)
- Midnight’s battery packs were dropped from 50 feet at 100%, 30%
and 0% state of charge at a National Institute for Aviation
Research (“NIAR”) lab to simulate extreme impact scenarios
- Not only did the batteries pass the test, they remarkably still
functioned properly after each drop validating the safety and
durability of Archer’s proprietary battery pack design
Archer Aviation Inc., a leader in the development of electric
vertical takeoff and landing (“eVTOL”) aircraft, today announced
the successful completion of rigorous battery pack drop testing
conducted at a National Institute for Aviation Research lab. This
marks a significant milestone in the development of the company’s
proprietary electric propulsion system for its Midnight aircraft in
what is seen as one of the most difficult tests to pass for an
eVTOL aircraft, putting Archer in a strong position to successfully
complete this same test in upcoming for-credit testing with the
FAA.
Over the course of this week, Archer’s engineering and
certification teams led Midnight’s proprietary battery packs
through three 50-foot drop tests simulating extreme impact
scenarios. Tested at varying states of charge, 0%, 30%, and 100%,
the battery packs withstood the impact without any signs of failure
and, remarkably, continued to function properly.
This test is renowned within the electric aviation industry as
one of the most challenging barriers to certification, designed to
ensure battery packs can safely endure significant impact. A
pivotal factor in the success of these tests is Archer’s choice to
utilize cylindrical cells within Archer’s battery proprietary
battery pack design.
"Successfully passing the battery pack drop tests marks a
pivotal moment that paves the way for future ‘for credit’
certification testing with the FAA," said Alex Clarabut, Archer's
Battery Lead. "This accomplishment highlights our dedication to not
just meeting, but exceeding safety standards. It is a critical step
towards our goal of ensuring that Midnight will be among the safest
aircraft in the skies. It's a testament to our team's relentless
pursuit of innovation and excellence, and we’re thrilled with the
results that the battery packs not only passed the test, but still
functioned properly afterward."
Archer’s goal is to transform urban travel, replacing
60–90-minute commutes by car with estimated 10-20 minute electric
air taxi flights that are safe, sustainable, low noise, and
cost-competitive with ground transportation. Archer’s Midnight is a
piloted, four-passenger aircraft designed to perform rapid
back-to-back flights with minimal charge time between flights.
About Archer
Archer is designing and developing electric vertical takeoff and
landing aircraft for use in urban air mobility networks. Archer’s
mission is to unlock the skies, freeing everyone to reimagine how
they move and spend time. Archer's team is based in Santa Clara,
CA.
To learn more, visit www.archer.com.
Forward-Looking Statements
This press release contains forward looking statements regarding
Archer’s business plans and expectations, including statements
regarding its battery pack and aircraft performance and the timing
of Archer’s development, commercialization, and certification of
its eVTOL aircraft. These forward-looking statements are only
predictions and may differ materially from actual results due to a
variety of factors. The risks and uncertainties that could cause
actual results to differ from the results predicted are more fully
detailed in Archer’s filings with the Securities and Exchange
Commission, including its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K
and Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, available at www.sec.gov. In
addition, please note that any forward-looking statements contained
herein are based on assumptions that Archer believes to be
reasonable as of the date of this press release. Archer undertakes
no obligation to update these statements as a result of new
information or future events.
Source: Archer Text: ArcherIR
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