News / aviation
Multibillion-dollar aviation and defence firm selects Bristol as UK headquarters
A multibillion-dollar aviation and defence company has chosen Bristol as its UK hub.
The US firm Archer said the Bristol site will support some of its most advanced engineering work across both commercial and defence programmes, building on the city’s strong heritage in aerospace and skilled engineering workforce.
Since announcing plans for the hub in late 2025, the company has received hundreds of applications and has begun recruiting engineers to support its next generation of aircraft development.
The firm specialises in electric vertical take‑off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) designed for use in urban air mobility, including electric air taxi services.
The firm specialises in electric vertical take‑off and landing aircraft (eVTOL) designed for use in urban air mobility, including electric air taxi servic
Their aircraft aim to carry passengers over short distances, such as between airports and city centres, quietly, with zero emissions and at speeds of around 150 mph.
Their key aircraft design, Midnight, is a piloted eVTOL expected to support commercial and defence uses, including partnerships with airlines and defence partners.
Founded in 2018, the firm is a key player in the American defence sector.
The company’s chief executive and co-founder Adam Goldstein commented on Bristol’s strong credentials in aviation as a key factor in selecting Bristol as its UK headquarters.
Archer will also work closely with partners including Anduril UK and GKN Aerospace, contributing to projects linked to the British Army and Ministry of Defence
He said: “We want to hire the best engineers the UK has to offer.
“Bristol has a strong industrial base and a deep talent pool that makes that possible. This market is a big area of focus for us moving forward and our UK hub will be our home base.”
The new team will also work closely with partners including Anduril UK and GKN Aerospace, contributing to projects linked to the British Army and Ministry of Defence.
“Bristol has a strong industrial base and a deep talent pool that makes that possible,” said Adam Goldstein, co-founder and chief executive of Archer
The move is expected to strengthen Bristol’s position as a key centre in Europe for advanced engineering and defence innovations, with new hybrid-electric aircraft technologies.
All photos: Archer
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