Natilus has unveiled its planned Horizon blend-wing-body (BWB) airliner, promising a 50% reduction in emissions and 30% less fuel burn than current aircraft. According to the California-based start-up, the planned Horizon model will carry 200 passenger on popular intercontinental routes such as Los Angeles to Boston and transatlantic sectors such as New York to London.
Announcing the Horizon design on October 23, the company indicated it is targeting airline payload requirements that are currently met by Airbus A320 and Boeing 737 Max narrowbodies. It said the BWB airframe will provide 40% greater volume than existing “tube-and-wing” aircraft that will give greater flexibility and comfort in passenger cabins, while still being compatible with existing airport gate configurations.
Another U.S. start-up called JetZero has been working on <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2023-08-16/jetzeros-blended-wing-body-aircraft-boosted-us-air-force-contract">plans for a BWB commercial airliner</a> since 2021 and presented a design concept at the 2023 Paris Air Show. It is also targeting a payload of around 200 passengers and aims to have a technology demonstrator flying in 2027 with support from <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2024-09-06/easyjet-teams-jetzero-blended-wing-body-airliners">low-cost carrier EasyJet</a>.
Natilus is aiming achieve type certification and start deliveries of the Horizon in the early 2030s. It maintains this timeframe fits well with airlines’ plans to acquire more fuel efficient aircraft in order to meet net zero carbon commitments by the industry mandate in 2050, but has not provided details about its intended propulsion system. JetZero plans to start operating its aircraft with Pratt &amp; Whitney’s Geared Turbofan, but has longer-term ambitions to switch to some kind of hydrogen powertrain.
According to Natilus CEO and co-founder Aleksey Matyushev, his engineering team has run multiple computational fluid dynamic simulations and is aiming to complete low-speed wing tunnel testing early in 2025. The company is also in discussions with airlines to gather further input on their needs.
<h2>No News Yet on Partners and Funding</h2>
Major systems for the Horizon aircraft, including engines, aerostructures and avionics, will be sourced from existing aerospace suppliers in order to reduce program risk. However, Natilus has not disclosed the identities of its prospective partners or said on what terms they are collaborating.
In 2023, Natilus flew a subscale technology demonstrator for a smaller BWB aircraft that it intends to develop as an <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/news-article/2023-04-19/autonomous-cargo-aircraft-developer-natilus-begins-flight-testing">autonomous freighter called Kona</a>. According to Matushev, the company has logged over 400 reservations and is working to achieve a first flight with a full-scale aircraft in the last quarter of 2026.
At this point, it is unclear how much funding Natilus has raised to bring either the Kona or the Horizon aircraft to market. Matyushev told AIN it will be making announcements about fundraising in the coming months.
Natilus is receiving advice from commercial aerospace finance group New Vista Capital on topics including funding, supplier negotiations and the selection of a manufacturing site. “Commercial aviation is on the brink of a transformative shift toward both greater efficiency and increased sustainability,” said Dennis Muilenburg, the former Boeing Company CEO who is now chairman and CEO of New Vista Capital. “The Natilus Horizon aircraft is poised to revolutionize fleet operations, enabling airlines to maximize capacity while delivering an elevated passenger experience.”
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