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JetZero's $1B Bet on Reinventing the Airplane

JetZero's $1B Bet on Reinventing the Airplane

Defense contractors and major airlines back a startup racing to fly the first commercial blended-wing jet

Overview

The tube-and-wing aircraft design has dominated commercial aviation since the Boeing 707 entered service in 1958. JetZero, a Long Beach startup, just raised $175 million to challenge that 67-year-old paradigm with a blended-wing body aircraft that merges fuselage and wings into a single lifting surface—promising 50% fuel savings over conventional jets.

The Series B round, led by B Capital with strategic investments from Northrop Grumman, United Airlines Ventures, RTX, and 3M Ventures, pushes JetZero's total funding past $1 billion. The company now has 200 conditional aircraft orders from United and Alaska Airlines, a $235 million Air Force contract, a $4.7 billion manufacturing plant planned in North Carolina, and a 2027 deadline to fly a full-scale demonstrator.

Key Indicators

$1B+
Total funding secured
Including government grants, commercial commitments, and venture capital
50%
Projected fuel savings
Compared to conventional tube-and-wing aircraft like the Boeing 767
200
Conditional aircraft orders
From United Airlines (up to 100) and Alaska Airlines (up to 100)
2027
Full-scale demonstrator flight target
Mandated by Air Force contract, built by Northrop's Scaled Composites

People Involved

TO
Tom O'Leary
Co-Founder & CEO, JetZero (Leading company through Series B and manufacturing site selection)
MP
Mark Page
Co-Founder & CTO, JetZero (Leading technical development of Z4 demonstrator)

Organizations Involved

JE
JetZero
Aerospace Startup
Status: Developing Z4 blended-wing body aircraft

California-based startup developing the first commercial blended-wing body aircraft, targeting entry into service in the early 2030s.

Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman
Defense Contractor
Status: Strategic investor and manufacturing partner via Scaled Composites

Defense prime whose Scaled Composites subsidiary is building JetZero's full-scale demonstrator in Mojave, California.

United Airlines
United Airlines
Commercial Airline
Status: Strategic investor with conditional order for up to 100 aircraft

Third-largest US carrier by revenue, pursuing 2050 net-zero goal through SAF investments and next-generation aircraft.

U.S. Air Force
U.S. Air Force
Government Agency
Status: Primary funder via Defense Innovation Unit contract

Awarded JetZero $235 million to demonstrate BWB technology for potential tanker and cargo aircraft applications.

Timeline

  1. JetZero closes $175M Series B

    Funding

    B Capital leads round with Northrop Grumman, United, RTX, and 3M Ventures, pushing total commitments past $1 billion.

  2. JetZero selects North Carolina for manufacturing

    Corporate

    Company announces $4.7 billion factory at Piedmont Triad airport, projecting 14,500 jobs—largest in state history.

  3. United Airlines invests with path to 200 aircraft

    Commercial

    United Ventures makes strategic investment with conditional purchase agreement for up to 100 aircraft plus 100 options.

  4. Alaska Airlines becomes first airline investor

    Funding

    Alaska Star Ventures invests in JetZero's Series A with options for future aircraft orders.

  5. Air Force awards JetZero $235M contract

    Funding

    Defense Innovation Unit selects JetZero to build full-scale BWB demonstrator by 2027, beating larger competitors.

  6. JetZero founded

    Corporate

    Tom O'Leary and Mark Page spin out BWB development from DZYNE Technologies to form JetZero in Long Beach.

  7. X-48 program ends without commercial successor

    Research

    After 122 flights over six years, the X-48 program concludes. Plans for a larger transonic demonstrator fail to materialize.

  8. Boeing X-48B makes first flight

    Milestone

    NASA and Boeing's 20-foot unmanned BWB demonstrator begins flight testing at Edwards Air Force Base.

  9. First BWB scale model flies

    Milestone

    The BWB-17, a 17-foot artificially stabilized model built by Stanford University, demonstrates viable handling qualities.

  10. NASA launches blended-wing body research

    Research

    NASA begins funding McDonnell Douglas to develop modern BWB configuration. Mark Page leads the three-year program.

Scenarios

1

JetZero Flies Demonstrator on Schedule, Airlines Firm Up Orders

Discussed by: Flight Global, Bloomberg aerospace analysts

The 2027 demonstrator flight meets Air Force performance targets, proving 30%+ aerodynamic efficiency gains. United and Alaska convert conditional orders to firm commitments. Additional carriers sign letters of intent. FAA begins formal certification pathway discussions for commercial variant. JetZero achieves entry into service in early 2030s as planned.

2

Certification Hurdles Delay Commercial Entry by 5+ Years

Discussed by: Leeham News, Mentour Pilot aviation analysis

Demonstrator flies successfully but FAA requires extended testing for novel evacuation procedures and non-standard pressure vessel certification. Airlines maintain interest but push back delivery commitments. Military applications proceed on faster timeline. JetZero burns through capital during extended certification, requiring additional funding rounds.

3

Boeing or Airbus Acquires JetZero Technology

Discussed by: Aviation Week, industry M&A analysts

As JetZero proves the technology viable, a major OEM acquires the company or licenses the design rather than compete. Boeing, facing 2030s timeline pressure for 737 replacement and burdened with debt, finds acquisition cheaper than internal development. JetZero's team and IP transfer to established manufacturer with deeper pockets and certification experience.

4

Demonstrator Underperforms, Commercial Program Stalls

Discussed by: The Air Current, aerospace skeptics

Full-scale demonstrator fails to achieve projected efficiency gains at scale, or encounters insurmountable stability and control issues. Airlines walk away from conditional orders. Military continues limited development for niche applications. JetZero pivots to component supplier or winds down.

Historical Context

Boeing X-48 Program (2007-2013)

July 2007 - April 2013

What Happened

NASA and Boeing flew the X-48, a 20-foot unmanned BWB demonstrator, 122 times at Edwards Air Force Base over six years. The program validated low-speed handling qualities and proved the configuration viable, but Boeing and NASA announced plans for a larger transonic demonstrator that never materialized.

Outcome

Short Term

Boeing shelved commercial BWB development, citing lack of airline demand and certification uncertainty.

Long Term

The X-48 team—Mark Page, Bob Liebeck, Blaine Rawdon—left Boeing and eventually formed the core of JetZero, carrying decades of institutional knowledge to the startup.

Why It's Relevant Today

JetZero is essentially the X-48 program's commercial successor, led by the same engineers who invented the modern BWB configuration. The startup exists because Boeing chose not to pursue commercial applications.

SpaceX Commercial Crew Development (2010-2020)

December 2010 - May 2020

What Happened

NASA awarded SpaceX $2.6 billion to develop commercial crew transportation to the ISS, betting on a startup over established contractors. SpaceX's Crew Dragon flew astronauts a decade after contract award, breaking the government-contractor monopoly on human spaceflight.

Outcome

Short Term

SpaceX successfully launched astronauts in May 2020, validating the model of government funding enabling commercial space capabilities.

Long Term

NASA's commercial approach created a competitive market, dramatically reducing launch costs and establishing the template for public-private partnerships in aerospace.

Why It's Relevant Today

JetZero's Air Force contract mirrors NASA's commercial crew approach—government funding de-risking revolutionary technology development by a startup. The 2027 demonstrator deadline is JetZero's equivalent of SpaceX's crewed flight milestone.

Concorde Commercial Failure (1976-2003)

January 1976 - November 2003

What Happened

British-French consortium built 20 supersonic airliners promising to halve transatlantic flight times. Only 14 entered service with two airlines, never achieving profitability. High fuel costs, limited routes, sonic boom restrictions, and a fatal 2000 crash ended the program.

Outcome

Short Term

Concorde operated for 27 years but never expanded beyond Air France and British Airways, ultimately retired in 2003.

Long Term

Demonstrated that revolutionary aircraft technology alone doesn't guarantee commercial success. Operating economics, regulatory constraints, and airport infrastructure matter as much as engineering breakthroughs.

Why It's Relevant Today

JetZero faces similar risks: novel certification requirements, infrastructure compatibility questions (wide aircraft at existing gates), and the gap between technical promise and commercial viability. Unlike Concorde, JetZero's value proposition is cost reduction rather than speed.

11 Sources:
+5
PR Newswire Bloomberg Flight Global Breaking Defense NC Governor's Office Alaska Airlines Newsroom Wikipedia Mentour Pilot IATA PR Newswire Wikipedia