Natilus, a U.S.-based aerospace manufacturer specializing in high-efficiency blended-wing-body aircraft, secured $28 million in financing led by Draper Associates with participation from Flexport and New Vista Capital. This capital accelerates the manufacturing of KONA, a full-scale regional cargo prototype expected to fly within 24 months, and supports the development of HORIZON EVO, a 200-passenger jet designed to compete with the Boeing 737 MAX. By leveraging advanced aerodynamics, the aircraft family reduces fuel consumption by 30% and slashes carbon emissions and operational costs by half compared to conventional designs.
Blended-Wing Design Targets Efficiency and Sustainability
The company addresses a projected global shortfall of 15,000 planes by offering a dual-deck platform compatible with existing airport infrastructure and engine technology. With an order book valued at $24 billion for over 570 aircraft, interest spans commercial freight, passenger airlines, and defense sectors for remote logistics. To support these efforts, former Boeing executive Kory Mathews has joined the Board of Directors as the firm scouts a 250,000-square-foot manufacturing site to produce 60 units annually.
Scaling Production to Meet Global Aircraft Demand
“The aviation market is ripe for a new aircraft manufacturing entrant,” said Tim Draper, Founding Partner of Draper Associates. “Natilus’s innovative and technology-driven approach to developing blended wing aircraft has opened the doors for air freight and passenger airlines alike to embrace these new planes.”
“We’re not just building aircraft. We’re reshaping the future of aviation beyond the limitations of the tube-and-wing airframe to fundamentally transform how we transport goods and people,” said Aleksey Matyushev, Co-Founder and CEO of Natilus. “With this latest funding and newest personnel additions, we are strongly positioned to bring our family of blended-wing aircraft to market, disrupting the Boeing-Airbus duopoly and bringing much-needed innovation to the aviation industry.”