Overview
- The Pentagon’s Operational Energy‑Innovation Directorate and the Air Force office for energy, installations and environment awarded Natilus a $3.5 million contract to speed KONA’s development and military demonstration.
- Natilus said the funding will support assembly of a full‑scale test article and work toward flight testing targeted for late 2027 or early 2028 with a likely joint exercise demonstration in the Pacific.
- KONA is a blended‑wing‑body design that Natilus says can carry about 3.8 tons (≈8,000 pounds) over roughly 800 nautical miles while cutting fuel burn by about 30% versus similar tube‑and‑wing aircraft.
- The aircraft is being developed as optionally piloted with an autonomy stack for contested operations and is also pursuing FAA Part 23 certification so it can serve commercial regional freight customers.
- The program is still in development not procurement and is meant to produce operational data to judge whether smaller, fuel‑efficient lift can ease supply chains, reduce fuel demand, and support Agile Combat Employment in the Indo‑Pacific.