UAV Development & Drone Programs   Air Cargo & Freight Logistics   North America   Military Aircraft Procurement   Aircraft Manufacturing (OEMs)   Defense Industry & Major Contractors  

Natilus wins $3.5 million in U.S. Air Force funding to advance Kona blended-wing-body freighter for contested logistics

Bookmark this story

The Pentagon and Air Force funding will support development of Natilus’ Kona regional cargo aircraft toward a contested-logistics demonstration. The optionally piloted blended-wing-body design is aimed at fuel-efficient cargo transport, including operations in remote locations, with potential commercial and military roles in the Indo-Pacific; its first flight is targeted for 2028.

Discovered 2026-10-21T04:04:42.900293-07:00 | 2026-10-21T04:04:42.900293-07:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The $3.5 million award gives Natilus funding to mature Kona toward a contested-logistics demonstration, linking an emerging commercial freighter design to a U.S. Air Force operational need.
  • Kona is intended for regional cargo service and remote-location operations, with possible military use in the Indo-Pacific; its first flight is targeted for 2028.

Reported By

Breaking Defense Aerospace Testing Intnl stattimes.com AINonline Aviation Week Flying Magazine
Sources Tracked
6
First Seen
2026-10-21T04:04:42.900293-07:00
Latest Update
2026-10-23T05:04:37.422296-07:00
Coverage
Aviation

Sources

Hype groups these reports into one evolving story so you can compare coverage without losing the thread.

Related Coverage