Natilus has secured a contract with the U.S. Air Force to develop a blended wing body aircraft. The San Diego-based startup is best known for its work on autonomous cargo aircraft built around a blended wing body design, which merges the wing and fuselage into a single lifting shape.

A blended wing body configuration reduces aerodynamic drag and improves fuel efficiency compared with a conventional tube-and-wing airframe, making it attractive for long-range cargo missions. Natilus has been developing uncrewed freighters aimed at lowering the cost of air cargo.

The Air Force has shown growing interest in blended wing body and autonomous cargo concepts as a way to move supplies more efficiently. For Natilus, the new contract marks another step toward bringing its cargo aircraft design closer to production.

Source: Breaking Defense