US Air Force awards Natilus $3.5 million for KONA freighter development

AI-generated. This briefing was written by an AI model from published sources and was not reviewed by a person before publication. Check the original sources before relying on it.

Published: October 21, 2026

1 source

First reported by: Natilus announcement reported by PR Newswire

U.S. Air ForceNatilusKONAOperational Energy-InnovationJetZeroNorthrop GrummanJoint ForceAgile Combat Employment

In brief

The Air Force is funding Natilus to advance its smaller blended-wing-body KONA freighter toward flight testing and a potential Joint Force logistics demonstration.

Sources disagree

Factual claims where reporting sources diverge. Treat with care until confirmed by the primary investigator or regulator.

KONA's first-flight timing.
Air & Space Forces Magazine: full-scale flight testing planned for late 2027 or early 2028Hype.aero: first flight targeted for 2028

The U.S. Air Force is providing Natilus $3.5 million to advance KONA, a regional blended-wing-body (BWB) cargo aircraft concept intended to support smaller-scale military logistics. The company says the award will help move the design toward full-scale flight testing and an operational demonstration with the Joint Force. Natilus Chief Operating Officer Nolan Giblin told Air & Space Forces Magazine that flight testing is planned to begin in late 2027 or early 2028, with a demonstration during a joint-force exercise also planned, likely in the Pacific.

KONA is intended to address a different…

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