TechnologyJetZero raises $175 million to advance blended wing body demonstrator toward 2027 first flight
JetZero has raised approximately $175 million in a Series B financing round to accelerate development of its full-scale demonstrator aircraft, with first flight targeted for 2027. The round was led by B Capital and included participation from United Airlines Ventures, Northrop Grumman, 3M Ventures, Trucks VC and RTX Ventures.
The U.S.-based startup said the new funding will support work on the demonstrator, which is intended to validate an aircraft architecture capable of delivering at least a 30% aerodynamic improvement compared with traditional tube-and-wing designs.
Including previous funding, government grants, incentives and commercial commitments, JetZero said it has now secured more than $1 billion to support its program.
JetZero’s concept is based on a blended wing body (BWB) configuration, in which the fuselage and wings are integrated into a single lifting surface. Unlike conventional aircraft, where the fuselage primarily generates drag and the wings provide lift, the BWB layout allows most of the airframe to contribute to lift, reducing aerodynamic losses.
The concept has been studied for decades by organizations such as NASA and the U.S. Air Force, but has yet to be applied to a commercial transport aircraft.
Advocates of the BWB configuration point to lower fuel burn, increased internal volume and improved structural efficiency as key advantages. The design also offers greater flexibility for cabin layout and fuel storage, while presenting challenges related to certification, airport compatibility and passenger evacuation that JetZero aims to address through its demonstrator program.
JetZero said the demonstrator will be used to validate aerodynamic performance, flight controls and systems integration ahead of a future commercial aircraft. The company’s long-term objective is to bring a blended wing body airliner into service in the early 2030s.
Founded in 2020 by Tom O’Leary and aerospace engineer Mark Page, JetZero is working with the U.S. Air Force, NASA and the Federal Aviation Administration as part of its development effort.
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