United, RTX, Northrop Bet On JetZero’s ‘All-Wing’ Aircraft

Blended-wing aircraft developer raises $175 million in a Series B round that includes United Airlines Ventures, RTX Ventures, and Northrop Grumman.

Jack Daleo

Tuesday, January 13, 2026 at 02:00 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

Digital rendering of JetZero’s flagship, 250-passenger Z4 with a United Airlines livery. [Credit: JetZero]

Key Takeaways:

JetZero's blended-wing body (BWB) aircraft, the Z4, aims to reduce fuel burn by up to 50 percent per passenger mile compared to conventional designs, offering significant cost savings and contributing to net-zero emission goals.
The company recently raised $175 million in Series B funding, bringing its total funding and commitments to over $1 billion, with major investors including United Airlines, RTX, and Northrop Grumman.
Airline giants like United, Delta, and Alaska Airlines have invested in or partnered with JetZero, with United having a potential order for up to 200 aircraft, contingent on the flight of a full-scale demonstrator.
The fresh funding will accelerate the development of the full-scale demonstrator, targeting its first flight in 2027, with the Z4 designed for up to 250 passengers, a 5,000 nm range, and improved cabin spaciousness while fitting existing airport infrastructure.

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United Airlines, RTX, and Northrop Grumman are all betting on a clean-sheet aircraft that promises to reduce fuel burn by as much as 50 percent per passenger mile, compared to similarly sized tube-and-wing models.

California-based JetZero—which has ditched the conventional tube-and-wing for a blended-wing body (BWB) or “all-wing” configuration—said Tuesday that it raised $175 million in a Series B round led by B Capital, a new investor.