What Happened
Startup Aims to Disrupt Traditional Aircraft Design with BWB Concept
The US Air Force has awarded Natilus a $3.5 million contract to develop its blended wing body (BWB) aircraft, with the goal of moving military cargo. The KONA aircraft, which has an 85-foot wingspan and a max takeoff weight of 19,000 pounds, is targeted at sub-tactical lift missions in environments like the Indo-Pacific. Natilus plans to initially produce the aircraft with a traditional cable and pulley system, but is making provisions for a pathway to optionally piloted or fully autonomous flight. The contract complements privately raised capital and helps de-risk some key technologies, with the company aiming for a first flight by late next year or early 2028. This development was first reported by Breaking Defense.