Nautilus Aviation: $28M Funding for Blended Wing Body Aircraft Challenging Boeing & Airbus

San Diego-based Nautilus is aiming high: to become the next Boeing. The startup, developing a blended-wing body aircraft for 200 passengers, recently secured $28 million in funding led by Draper Associates, a firm managing over $2 billion in investments. The company has also added a former Boeing executive to its board and anticipates further high-profile hires as it pushes toward its ambitious goal of challenging the established aerospace giants, Airbus and Boeing.

A New Approach to Aircraft Design

Nautilus is part of a growing wave of companies exploring advanced aircraft designs focused on significantly reducing fuel consumption and emissions. The blended-wing body design, where the wings merge into the main body of the aircraft, is seen as a key to achieving these efficiencies. According to Nautilus co-founder and CEO Aleksey Matyushev, the idea for a new type of cargo aircraft stemmed from observing the inefficiencies in current air freight operations – planes often don’t reach maximum weight capacity.

The company is currently developing two aircraft models: the Kona, designed for cargo, and the Horizon, intended to carry 200 passengers. Matyushev claims the Horizon will feature a cabin 40 percent wider than those found on Boeing 737 or Airbus A321 aircraft. Visualizations of the proposed cabin layout demonstrate a spacious interior designed to maximize passenger comfort.

Securing Expertise and Funding

The recent funding round and the addition of experienced industry leadership signal Nautilus’s commitment to realizing its vision. Notably, former Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg, through his investment firm New Vista Capital, is now an investor in Nautilus. This move is particularly interesting given Muilenburg’s departure from Boeing following the 737 MAX crisis. Fly-News.es reports on Muilenburg’s exit from Boeing, providing context to his current investment strategy.

Matyushev has been critical of Airbus and Boeing, suggesting a lack of ambition due to their substantial existing order backlogs. He estimates the cost of developing a new passenger aircraft at $7 billion and a cargo plane at $250 million, arguing that the current market conditions don’t incentivize innovation from the established players.

Production Plans and Market Agreements

Nautilus is targeting an initial production rate of five aircraft per month. The company is actively searching for a location for its first factory, envisioning a 25,000 square meter facility that will eventually expand to 325,000 square meters and employ up to 11,000 people. A key challenge, Matyushev acknowledges, will be finding a location with strong transportation links and a skilled workforce capable of working with advanced materials like carbon fiber.

The company claims to have secured purchase agreements for 580 aircraft, valued at $23 billion, with airlines including Ameriflight (US), Nolinor (Canada), and SpiceJet (India). FlightGlobal reports on SpiceJet’s interest in blended-wing body aircraft, highlighting the growing appeal of this technology among low-cost carriers.

Competition and Market Positioning

Nautilus differentiates itself from competitors like JetZero, which has agreements with Delta, United, and the US Air Force, by targeting a different segment of the market. While both companies are pursuing blended-wing body designs, Nautilus believes its focus on a 200-passenger aircraft gives it a distinct advantage. Matyushev suggests that increased success from competitors will ultimately benefit Nautilus as well, driving broader adoption of this new aircraft technology.

Timeline and Next Steps

Nautilus anticipates the Kona cargo aircraft will fly in 2028, with the Horizon passenger aircraft following in 2029. Entry into service for both models is projected for 2030. The company is currently focused on finalizing the design of both aircraft, securing the necessary certifications, and establishing its manufacturing facility. A key procedural step will be navigating the rigorous aircraft certification process with aviation authorities, a process that can take several years and requires substantial investment.

Looking ahead, the success of Nautilus will depend on its ability to execute its ambitious plan, secure further funding, and overcome the significant technical and regulatory hurdles inherent in developing a new aircraft. The company’s bold claim to become “the next Boeing” will be tested in the coming years as it moves from design and development to production and commercial operation.