JetZero receives $235 million from the US Air Force to develop fuel-efficient blended-wing aircraft
Jet Zero has selected Pratt & Whitney GT engines to power the demonstrator (Image: JetZero)
JetZero has won a $235 million award from USAF to accelerate the development of its blended-wing body aircraft which promises a 50% reduction in fuel burn and emissions.
The effort is being funded under the US DoD’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU) with work to occur over a four-year period, culminating in the first flight of the full-scale demonstrator by the first quarter of 2027.
The DIU was founded in 2015 to help the US military make faster use of emerging commercial technologies.
The company is collaborating with Northrop Grumman and Scaled Composites, who bring extensive experience in advanced aircraft design, manufacturing and mission systems integration to build and test the full-scale demonstrator.
Jet Zero has selected Pratt & Whitney GT engines to power the demonstrator, with Pratt & Whitney GATORWORKS supporting JetZero with design and integration of the propulsion system within the demonstrator.
According to the company, as a military or commercial platform an operational aircraft could provide a 50% reduction in fuel burn and emissions with the current concept carrying 200 passenger or personnel.
The blended wing body aircraft, a design that has been under study by NASA and others for three decades, lends itself to conversion in the future to hydrogen propulsion, which would produce zero carbon emissions.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Airbus outlines Logistics Connector plan and partners with L3Harris]()
Airbus outlines Logistics Connector plan and partners with L3Harris
Airbus says it will aim to have a working prototype of the MQ-72C Logistics Connector by the end of the decade as it bids for a contract with the US Marine Corps.
-
![UK MoD awards Ascent with eight-year contract to upgrade RAF and Royal Navy flight training]()
UK MoD awards Ascent with eight-year contract to upgrade RAF and Royal Navy flight training
Funding of £300 million will go towards training personnel on the FIRCTS programmes to meet a growing demand for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance, and uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) platforms.
-
![Airbus, Babcock and CAE partner for Poland helicopter training requirement]()
Airbus, Babcock and CAE partner for Poland helicopter training requirement
Poland first issued a requirement for up to 24 helicopters and associated training systems in January 2024.
-
![Polish Armed Forces agrees deal to acquire 10,000 Warmate loitering munitions]()
Polish Armed Forces agrees deal to acquire 10,000 Warmate loitering munitions
Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister vows that the country “will not be left behind” as the Ministry of Defense (MoD) announces its intention to acquire 10,000 Warmate loitering munitions for the Polish army.
