U.S.-based aerospace startup JetZero announced it has raised approximately US$175 million to continue development of a demonstrator aircraft featuring a blended wing body (BWB) configuration.
The investment round was led by B Capital, with participation from United Airlines Ventures, Northrop Grumman, 3M Ventures, Trucks VC, and RTX Ventures.
According to the company, when prior investments, government grants, incentives, and commercial commitments are taken into account, the total funding secured for the program has already surpassed US$1 billion.
The first flight of the full-scale prototype is scheduled for 2027. JetZero says the BWB architecture can deliver an aerodynamic advantage of at least 30% compared with conventional aircraft that use a tubular fuselage with separate wings.
In the blended wing body concept, the fuselage and wings form a single lifting surface, allowing much of the structure to contribute to lift generation. According to the company, this arrangement has the potential to reduce fuel consumption, increase internal volume, and improve structural efficiency. On the other hand, the concept poses significant challenges, particularly with respect to certification, passenger evacuation procedures, and compatibility with existing airport infrastructure.
JetZero’s demonstrator is expected to validate aspects such as aerodynamics, handling qualities, and systems integration before any potential move into the development phase of a commercial aircraft. Over the longer term, the company envisions introducing a BWB passenger aircraft in the early 2030s, in cooperation with the United States Air Force, NASA, and aviation regulatory authorities.
Source and images: JetZero. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
