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UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 8-K
CURRENT REPORT
Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d)
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
Date of Report: October 15, 2025
Archer Aviation Inc.
(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in its Charter)
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| Delaware |
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001-39668 |
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85-2730902 |
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation) |
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(Commission File Number) |
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(IRS Employer Identification No.) |
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| 190 West Tasman Drive |
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San Jose, CA |
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95134 |
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Registrant’s telephone number, including area code: 650-272-3233
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(Former Name or Former Address, if Changed Since Last Report)
Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the following provisions:
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Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425) |
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Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b)) |
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Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c)) |
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
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| Title of each class |
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Trading
Symbol(s)
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Name of each exchange
on which registered
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| Class A common stock, par value $0.0001 per share |
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ACHR |
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New York Stock Exchange |
| Warrants, each whole warrant exercisable for one share of Class A common stock at an exercise price of $11.50 per share |
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ACHR WS |
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New York Stock Exchange |
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is an emerging growth company as defined in Rule 405 of the Securities Act of 1933 (§230.405 of this chapter) or Rule 12b-2 of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (§240.12b-2 of this chapter).
Emerging growth company o
Item 8.01 Other Events.
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o On October 15, 2025, Archer Aviation Inc. (the “Company”) announced that it won a competitive bid process to acquire certain patent assets of Lilium GmbH, for a total purchase price of 18 million euros (the “Patent Acquisition”). The Patent Acquisition, which is expected to close in the fourth quarter of the Company's fiscal year ending December 31, 2025, is subject to customary closing conditions. A copy of the Company’s press release announcing the Patent Acquisition is attached hereto as Exhibit 99.1.
Forward-looking Statements
This Current Report on Form 8-K contains certain statements that are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements for purposes of the safe harbor provisions under The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements generally are accompanied by words such as “believe,” “may,” “will,” “estimate,” “continue,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “expect,” “should,” “would,” “plan,” “predict,” “potential,” “seem,” “seek,” “future,” “outlook,” and similar expressions that predict or indicate future events or trends or that are not statements of historical matters. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding future events, including statements about the expected benefits and use cases of the acquired patent portfolio, the anticipated timing of the closing of the Patent Acquisition and potential impacts on the Company’s business, and other statements that are not historical facts. These statements are based on the current expectations of the Company’s management and are not predictions of actual performance. These forward-looking statements are provided for illustrative purposes only and are not intended to serve as, and must not be relied on, by any investor as a guarantee, an assurance, a prediction or a definitive statement of fact or probability. Actual events and circumstances are difficult or impossible to predict and will differ from assumptions. Many actual events and circumstances are beyond the control of the Company. 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 the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”), including the Company’s most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2024, filed with the SEC on February 28, 2025 and the Company’s Current Report on Form 8-K, filed with the SEC on June 13, 2025. Any forward-looking statements contained herein are based on assumptions that the Company believes to be reasonable as of the date of they were made. The Company undertakes no obligation to update these statements as a result of new information or future events.
Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.
(d) Exhibits.
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Exhibit
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Description |
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| 99.1 |
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| 104 |
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Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in the Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
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SIGNATURE
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned hereunto duly authorized.
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ARCHER AVIATION INC. |
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| Date: October 17, 2025 |
By: |
/s/ Eric Lentell |
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Name: |
Eric Lentell |
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Title: |
Chief Legal & Strategy Officer |
EX-99.1
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exhibit_991.htm
EX-99.1
exhibit_991
Archer Wins Competitive Bid Process To Acquire Lilium's Patent Portfolio ● Lilium was founded in 2015 and spent over $1.5B developing advanced technologies related to electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft ● The Lilium patent portfolio is made up of key innovations in eVTOL technology, including ducted fans, propeller systems, high-voltage systems, battery management, aircraft design, flight controls, and electric engines ● Acquisition bolsters Archer’s rapidly growing patent portfolio by adding ~300 patent assets covering current and next-generation eVTOL technologies ● Archer’s portfolio now includes over 1,000 patent assets worldwide LAS VEGAS, Nevada (NBAA 2025) – October 15, 2025 – Archer Aviation Inc. (NYSE: ACHR), a leading developer of electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, today announced that it has won the competitive bid process to acquire Lilium GmbH’s portfolio of ~300 advanced air mobility patent assets for €18M, including patents relating to key
innovations in high-voltage systems, battery management, advanced aircraft design, flight controls, electric engines, propellers, and ducted fans. This acquisition strengthens Archer’s leadership position in next-generation electric aviation and reinforces its commitment to ensuring the U.S. leads the way when it comes to critical eVTOL technology. The transaction follows industry consolidation in the advanced air mobility sector, including a recent acquisition of Volocopter by a Chinese buyer. “Lilium’s pioneering work advanced the frontier of eVTOL design and technology, and we’re excited to bring their cutting-edge technologies into the fold at Archer as we advance our product roadmap,” said Adam Goldstein, Founder and CEO of Archer. Over the course of its development, Lilium spent more than $1.5B to develop the key enabling technologies related to its visionary eVTOL platform that was regarded by many as technologically ahead of its time. Through this purchase, Archer gains key enabling technologies that bolster its current platforms, including what is believed to be the leading patent portfolio on ducted fan technology in the world. In July 2025, the U.S. Department of Transportation and Federal Aviation Administration announced the modernization of the special airworthiness certification (MOSAIC) final rule to drive innovation across the light-sport sector. Archer believes Lilium’s ducted fan technology could unlock future development in both the light-sport and regional air mobility sectors. ___ About Archer Archer is designing and developing the key enabling technologies and aircraft necessary to power the future of aviation. To learn more, visit www.archer.com. Forward-Looking Statements This press release contains forward looking statements regarding Archer’s future business plans, goals and strategy, including statements regarding Archer’s aircraft performance, Archer’s plans to develop, certify, manufacture and commercialize its aircraft, expected benefits and use cases of the acquired patent portfolio, the anticipated timing of the closing of the transaction described above and potential impacts on Archer’s business. 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, 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.
Archer Media Contacts The Brand Amp - archer@thebrandamp.com Source: Archer Aviation Text: ArcherIR