# Air Force Awards San Diego Natilus $3.5M Contract

In October 2026, the U.S. Air Force awarded San Diego-based Natilus $3.5 million in research, development, test and evaluation funding to assess its KONA blended-wing-body cargo aircraft for military missions in the Pacific, including island-to-island logistics and fuel distribution. Natilus targets the aircraft’s first flight for late 2027 or early 2028. The award adds to the Air Force’s broader investment in blended-wing-body aircraft, including a $235 million 2023 effort with JetZero, but no follow-on solicitation or procurement contact has been identified.

- The award is an early-stage evaluation, not evidence of a production decision; follow-on opportunities may depend on test results and validation of KONA’s cargo-capacity and fuel-efficiency claims.
- Contractors in aircraft manufacturing, sub-tactical lift, autonomy, and related supply chains can assess how their capabilities may align with potential future Air Force needs.
- Companies can follow Air Force evaluation activity and Natilus’s anticipated first flight to gauge whether the program advances toward further procurement activity.

**Jurisdictions:** federal
**Industries:** Defense & Military, Transportation
**Topics:** Grants & Funding
**Published:** October 23, 2026

### Government Entities
- United States Air Force (USAF)

### Vendors
- Natilus (awardee)
- JetZero (awardee)

### Key Quotes
> No one’s really done that yet for aviation, so that’s what we’re striving to do.
> — Nolan Giblin, Chief Operating Officer of Natilus

### Sources
- [Natilus secures Air Force contract to develop blended wing body aircraft - Breaking Defense](https://breakingdefense.com/2026/10/natilus-secures-air-force-contract-to-develop-blended-wing-body-aircraft) - Breaking Defense
- [San Diego aviation innovator Natilus wins government contract for its futuristic airplane – San Diego Union-Tribune](https://www.sandiegouniontribune.com/2026/10/23/san-diego-aviation-innovator-natilus-wins-government-contract-for-its-futuristic-airplane) - San Diego Union-Tribune