JetZero Receives $235M Defense Department Award to Develop Blended-Wing Aircraft

The demonstrator airplane, which is expected to take its first flight in 2027, is designed to cut fuel consumption, emissions and noise.

Jonathan Welsh

Thursday, August 17, 2023 at 03:44 PM ET

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JetZero plans to build and fly its blended-wing demonstrator by 2027. [Courtesy: JetZero]

Key Takeaways:

The U.S. Air Force, through the Defense Innovation Unit, is investing $235 million over four years in JetZero's blended wing body (BWB) aircraft design.
This funding will support the development and first flight of a full-scale BWB demonstrator aircraft by the first quarter of 2027.
The BWB design aims to significantly cut fuel consumption, emissions, and noise, offering 50 percent lower fuel burn and future adaptability for hydrogen propulsion to achieve zero-emission aviation.

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Aircraft developer JetZero said the Air Force is investing in the company’s blended wing body, or BWB, aircraft design aimed at cutting fuel consumption, emissions, and noise.

Under the terms of an award from the Department of Defense’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU), JetZero will receive $235 million over four years, during which it will build a full-scale demonstrator aircraft to validate the blended-wing concept. The award period is expected to culminate in the demonstrator’s first flight by the first quarter of 2027.