American aerospace startup Natilus has unveiled a radical blended-wing aircraft, promising 30% fuel savings and greater passenger comfort on trips across the pond. Olivia Palamountain reports
US aerospace manufacturer Natilus has revealed its first passenger aircraft, the Horizon, featuring an innovative blended-wing-body (BWB) design that promises to reduce fuel consumption by 30% compared to traditional aircraft.
The new aircraft, which can carry 200 passengers along intercontinental routes such as New York to London, represents a significant advancement in sustainable aviation technology.
Its unique design offers 40% greater interior volume than conventional tube-and-wing configurations, allowing for customisable cabin and seating layouts. Aleksey Matyushev, CEO and co-founder of Natilus, says: “The commercial aviation industry is looking for real solutions to become more sustainable, more efficient, and more profitable. With the Horizon, we’re introducing improved aviation economics that benefit the industry while helping safeguard our planet for future generations.”
The San Diego-based company plans to begin customer deliveries in the early 2030s, aligning with commercial carriers’ fleet purchasing decisions to meet the airline industry’s 2050 net-zero goals.The Horizon will compete in the same payload class as Boeing’s 737 Max and the Airbus A320 narrowbody aircraft.
Dennis Muilenburg, chairman and CEO of New Vista Capital and former Boeing Company CEO, endorses the project, stating: “Commercial aviation is on the brink of a transformative shift toward both greater efficiency and increased sustainability. The Natilus Horizon aircraft is poised to revolutionise fleet operations.”
The company claims the aircraft will be compatible with existing gate operations and airport infrastructure at major airports while offering significantly quieter operations than current aircraft.The Horizon follows Natilus’s first product, the Kona regional cargo aircraft, which is scheduled for first customer delivery in the late 2020s.
Founded in 2016, Natilus has assembled a team of innovators from leading aerospace companies including General Atomics, Northrop Grumman, Skunkworks, SpaceX and Piper Aircraft.
The company’s development of BWB aircraft comes at a crucial time, as market demand for passenger and freight aircraft is expected to significantly outpace manufacturing capabilities over the next two decades.