San Diego-based aerospace startup Natilus has raised $28 million in Series A funding to accelerate commercialization of its blended-wing aircraft family, a configuration that heavily uses advanced composite structures to achieve step-change efficiency gains. The capital will support full-scale flight testing of KONA, a next-generation regional freighter, while advancing development of the HORIZON EVO passenger aircraft slated for early-2030s service entry.

With blended-wing-body designs demanding large integrated carbon fiber airframe sections to deliver aerodynamic and structural performance targets, the funding signals growing investor confidence in composite-intensive aircraft architectures aimed at reshaping commercial and defense logistics.

Blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft architectures like those developed by Natilus are structurally dependent on advanced composite materials. The aerodynamic efficiency gains of BWB designs are only commercially viable when paired with lightweight, high-strength carbon fiber reinforced polymers (CFRP), integrated wing-fuselage composite structures, and large out-of-autoclave manufacturing techniques.

The financing was led by Draper Associates and includes strategic investors with focuses on aerospace, defense, and global freight logistics including: Type One Ventures, The Veterans Fund, and Flexport. Also participating are new investors New Vista Capital, Soma Capital, Liquid 2 VC, VU Venture Partners, and Wave FX.

Natilus has attracted broad buy-in across defense, air freight and commercial aviation markets for the game changing economics that its blended-wing-body platform enables. Leveraging improved aerodynamics, capacity, and efficiency, its family of blended-wing aircraft cut fuel usage by 30% and carbon emissions and operational costs by 50%.

This latest funding will allow Natilus to complete manufacturing of its first full-scale prototype of regional cargo plane KONA, which is expected to fly in the next 24 months. Natilus will also further invest in the development of its second aircraft, HORIZON EVO, a 200+-passenger aircraft intended to compete with the Boeing 737 MAX and Airbus A321-neo.

Natilus also debuted its transition from a single-deck to a dual-deck aircraft, implementing modifications to the profile and interior that substantially enhance passenger experience and safety.

Global aircraft demand has outpaced the combined production capabilities of Boeing and Airbus leaving a shortfall of 15,000 planes that must be met over the next 20 years to satisfy global need. As a result, the market is hungry for a new manufacturing entrant that can navigate supply chain constraints and deliver a superior aircraft.

In the last 12 months, Natilus has made significant progress on its IP family and national manufacturing efforts. In July, it was awarded a patent for KONA s diamond-shaped cargo bay and in March, it initiated the launch of its first domestic manufacturing
to produce KONA. Currently, Natilus s commercial product order book stands at 570+ aircraft, with reservations from major players like SpiceJet, Nolinor Aviation, Flexport, and Ameriflight and is valued at $24 billion.

In addition to strong demand from domestic and global carriers, Natilus s optionally-piloted KONA is gaining interest for its potential defense applications. With its 3.8-ton payload capacity and ability to land on shorter, gravel runways, KONA can provide intra-theatre lift and transport cargo to remote locations more efficiently than ever before. The cargo freighter can support Agile Combat Employment (ACE) and logistics resupply in highly contested and austere regions such as the Indo-Pacific. Natilus has engaged in conversations with the U.S. Army, U.S. Air Force, and the Department of Defense, which see value in KONA.

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.

Natilus has derisked the technology and expedited widespread commercial adoption by designing its planes to use existing engine technology and include vertical tails for control and stabilization. Natilus has designed its family of aircraft to be compatible with existing gate operations and airport infrastructure to maintain interoperability.