Based in San Diego, Natilus is an aerospace startup developing a portfolio of efficient blended-wing-body aircraft that could transport passengers and cargo more sustainably.
According to the company, compared to the traditional tube-and-wing aircraft we use today, these designs could reduce fuel consumption by 30% while increasing payload capability by 40%.
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Natilus recently unveiled Horizon, the company's first passenger aircraft that could compete with the popular Boeing 737 and Airbus A320 narrowbody aircraft. Horizon is in the same payload class with the ability to transport 200 passengers with cargo along intercontinental and transatlantic routes.
According to the company, Horizon's blended-wing-body aircraft design improves aerodynamic efficiency and boosts interior volume. The company expects to begin deliveries in the early 2030s, which Natilus believes to be in line with commercial carrier fleet purchasing decisions to meet the airline industry's 2050 net-zero goals.
The aircraft's larger volume stands to improve the flight experience, offering customizable cabin and seating layouts for up to 200 passengers. Horizon could also be much quieter than modern aircraft and compatible with existing airport infrastructure.
The Horizon is Natilus's second product. The company’s Kona is a blended-wing-body regional aircraft that remains on pace to start deliveries in the late 2020s.
The increased body volume also makes these aircraft a potential fit for hydrogen-electric propulsion. In May, Natilus partnered with ZeroAvia to put hydrogen-electric engines in Kona cargo aircraft. ZeroAvia's ZA600 will be the only hydrogen-electric propulsion source used in the novel Kona short-haul feeder UAV. The blended-wing body provides more room for hydrogen fuel storage.
Natilus was founded in 2016 with a pedigree that includes talent pulled from General Atomics, Northrop Grumman, Skunkworks and SpaceX.
The company isn't the only blended-wing-body game in town. In May, Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences finished the conceptual design review process on a VTOL X-plane concept that has a similar design. Airbus unveiled its Maveric blended wing demonstrator back in 2020. And just last year, the U.S. Air Force invested $235 million in JetZero, another startup working on blended-wing body aircraft that could be used as military tankers and cargo planes.
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Based in San Diego.
Nautilus is an aerospace start up developing a
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portfolio of efficient blended wing body
aircraft that could transport passengers and
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cargo more sustainably.
According to the company,
00:12.479 --> 00:16.149
compared to traditional tube and wing aircraft
we use today,
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these designs could reduce fuel consumption by
30% while increasing payload capability by
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40%.
Nautilus recently unveiled Horizon.
00:26.200 --> 00:31.451
The company's first passenger aircraft that
could come compete with the popular Boeing 737
00:31.472 --> 00:37.102
and Airbus 320 narrow body aircraft.
Horizon is in the same payload class with the
00:37.111 --> 00:42.942
ability to transport 200 passengers with cargo
along intercontinental and transatlantic routes.
00:43.091 --> 00:48.602
According to the company, Horizon's blended
wing body aircraft improves aerodynamic
00:48.611 --> 00:53.242
efficiency and boosts interior volume.
The company expects to begin deliveries in the
00:53.251 --> 00:58.312
early 20 thirties which Nautilus believes to be
in line with commercial carrier fleet purchases
00:58.543 --> 01:03.113
decisions to meet the airline industry's 2050
net zero goals.
01:03.194 --> 01:07.973
The aircraft's larger volume stands to improve
the flight experience offering customizable
01:07.984 --> 01:13.933
cabin and seating layouts for these 200
passengers or at least a few different options
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as to how the sardines are going to be laid
into the can.
01:16.853 --> 01:21.863
Horizon also stands to be much quieter than
modern aircraft and compatible with existing
01:21.874 --> 01:23.174
airport infrastructure.
01:23.384 --> 01:26.814
The horizon is actually Nautilus's second
product.
01:26.984 --> 01:32.725
The company also unveiled Kona a blended wing
body regional aircraft that remains on pace to
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start deliveries in the late 20 twenties.
01:35.426 --> 01:40.596
The increased body volume also makes these
aircraft a potential fit for hydrogen electric
01:40.606 --> 01:45.435
propulsion back in May.
Nautilus partnered with X Avia to put hydrogen
01:45.456 --> 01:52.036
electric engines in Kona cargo aircraft zero,
Avia Z A 600 will be the only hydrogen electric
01:52.045 --> 01:56.646
propulsion source used in the novel Kona short
haul feeder U A BS.
01:56.970 --> 02:01.379
The blended wing body actually provides more
room for hydrogen fuel storage.
02:01.419 --> 02:06.150
Nautilus was founded in 2016 with a pedigree
that includes talent pulled from general
02:06.160 --> 02:11.839
Atomics, Northrop Grumman Skunkworks and SpaceX,
but the company isn't the only blended wing
02:11.850 --> 02:17.410
body game in town in May Boeing subsidiary
Aurora Flight Sciences finished the conceptual
02:17.419 --> 02:21.809
design review process on a Vox plane concept
that has a similar design.
02:22.199 --> 02:27.740
Airbus unveiled its Maverick blended wing
demonstrator back in 2020 just last year,
02:27.750 --> 02:32.759
the US Air Force invested some $235 million in
jet zero.
02:32.880 --> 02:38.619
Another start up working on blended wing body
aircraft that could be used as military tankers
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and cargo planes.
I'm David Manti.
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This is manufacturing now.
