# Natilus

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American company developing blended-wing passenger and air cargo aircraft

Not to be confused with [Nautilus](/source/Nautilus).

Natilus Type Private Industry Aerospace industry Founded April 2016 Founders Aleksey Matyushev Anatoly Starikov [1] Headquarters 101 W Broadway Products Passenger and cargo aircraft design

**Natilus** is a [San Diego](/source/San_Diego)–based [aerospace](/source/Aerospace_manufacturer) company developing next-generation [blended-wing-body](/source/Blended_wing_body) [cargo aircraft](/source/Cargo_aircraft).

## History

Natilus was founded in April 2016[2] by Aleksey Matyushev and Anatoly Starikov. The idea for Natilus was sparked after their [industrial design](/source/Industrial_design) firm experienced challenges getting product out of [Asia](/source/Asia), leading them to the realization that cargo shipping is inexpensive but slow, while air freight is timely but expensive. The company was originally based in the [San Francisco Bay Area](/source/San_Francisco_Bay_Area) and the original prototype was a [seaplane](/source/Seaplane).[3] In 2021 the company relocated to [San Diego, California](/source/San_Diego%2C_California), to access aerospace engineering talent and a world-class [wind tunnel](/source/Wind_tunnel) facility.[2]

## Market

Natilus targets an existing $197 billion global [air cargo](/source/Air_cargo) market, projected to grow beyond $210 billion by 2027,[4] and the potential to tap into the $2.2 trillion global [cargo shipping](/source/Cargo_ship) market, projected to reach $4.2 trillion by 2031.[5] Natilus is also targeting an existing $83.99 billion passenger aircraft market.[6]

## Aircraft

The design of Natilus's blended-wing-body aircraft includes vertical tails[7] and conventionally configured (tricycle) landing gear.[8]

Natilus's regional cargo aircraft, KONA, can carry a payload of 3.8 metric tons with a range of 900 nautical miles.[9][10] Made of [carbon fibre](/source/Carbon_fibre) and [fibreglass composites](/source/Fibre-reinforced_plastic), KONA can be optionally piloted[10] and is powered by [turboprop](/source/Turboprop) engines developed by [Pratt & Whitney](/source/Pratt_%26_Whitney).[11]

Natilus's first passenger aircraft, the HORIZON,[12] can carry a payload of 25 tons[7] with a range of 3,500 nautical miles.[13] The aircraft can carry up to 200 passengers.[14][15]

## Development

Natilus raised $750,000 of [venture capital](/source/Venture_capital) from [Tim Draper](/source/Tim_Draper) and was incubated at the aviation-oriented [Starburst Accelerator](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Starburst_Accelerator&action=edit&redlink=1) in Los Angeles.

In November 2017, Natilus closed a second round of [seed funding](/source/Seed_funding) from Starburst Ventures, Seraph Group, Gelt VC, Outpost Capital and [Draper Associates](/source/Draper_Associates).[16]

Natilus has announced two aircraft in production: **KONA**, a pusher twin-turboprop regional cargo freighter capable of carrying 3.8 tonnes (8,400 lb) payload over 900 nautical miles (1,700 km), and **HORIZON**, a passenger aircraft capable of carrying 25 tonnes (55,000 lb) over 3,500 nautical miles (6,500 km).[12] In April 2023, Natilus completed multiple flights of the subscale prototype of its KONA regional aircraft.[17][18] In an unusual move for a commercial aerospace company, Natilus has partnered with the YouTuber "Ramy RC" to build a scaled-down prototype of the Horizon aircraft. The prototype will have a 24-foot (7.3 metre) wingspan, and is expected to complete its first flights in early 2026.[19][20][21]

The company reported that [Ameriflight](/source/Ameriflight) has "agreed to purchase" 20 KONAs, and that total agreements cover 460 aircraft valued at over $6.8 billion. In February 2025, Natilus reported that Canadian charter airline [Nolinor Aviation](/source/Nolinor_Aviation) agreed to purchase multiple KONA aircraft.[22][23] In December 2025, Natilus announced an agreement with India's [SpiceJet](/source/SpiceJet) to certify the HORIZON in India, and subsequently sell 100 of these aircraft to the nation. As per [Reuters](/source/Reuters), they are also planning to manufacture 300 such jets within India.[4][9]

## See also

- [Air cargo](/source/Air_cargo)

- [Cargo airline](/source/Cargo_airline)

- [blended wing body](/source/Blended_wing_body)

## References

1. **[^](#cite_ref-Fast27mar2017_1-0)** Terdiman, Daniel (2017-03-27). ["A Startup's Plan to Cut Air Freight Costs in Half with 777-Size Drones"](https://www.fastcompany.com/3069053/a-startups-plan-to-halve-cargo-shipping-costs-with-777-size-drones). *Fast Company*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-Bloodworth_2-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-Bloodworth_2-1) Bloodworth, Donald (2024-01-23). ["Natilus Designing Solutions for Air Cargo"](https://www.sdbj.com/transportation/aerospace/natilus-designing-solutions-for-air-cargo/). *San Diego Business Journal*. Retrieved 2024-01-25.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-3)** Smith, Phillip (2018-03-16). ["This Leviathan Could Disrupt Unmanned Global Air Freight: Natilus CEO Aleksey Matyushev"](https://dronebelow.com/2018/03/16/the-leviathan-that-could-disrupt-unmanned-global-air-freight-natilus-ceo-aleksey-matyushev/). *dronebelow.com*. Retrieved 2024-01-24.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:0_4-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:0_4-1) Molyneaux, Ian (December 17, 2025). ["Natilus links up with SpiceJet to launch blended-wing aircraft in India"](https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/natilus-spicejet-blended-wing-aircraft-india). *AeroTime*.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: url-status ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_url-status))

1. **[^](#cite_ref-5)** ["Cargo Shipping Market Size, Share, Revenue, Analysis, Outlook"](https://www.alliedmarketresearch.com/cargo-shipping-market-A47214). *Allied Market Research*. Retrieved 2024-01-23.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-6)** ["Passenger Aircraft - Worldwide"](https://www.statista.com/outlook/mmo/aircraft/commercial-aircraft/passenger-aircraft/worldwide). *Statista*. November 2024. Retrieved 2025-03-07.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-CompositesWorld2024_7-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-CompositesWorld2024_7-1) Gardiner, Ginger (2024-10-30). ["Natilus announces Horizon blended wing body CFRP aircraft for 200-passenger narrowbody market"](https://www.compositesworld.com/news/natilus-announces-horizon-blended-wing-body-cfrp-aircraft-for-200-passenger-narrowbody-market). *CompositesWorld*. Retrieved 2025-03-07.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-8)** Binkowski, Brooke (2024-10-24). ["San Diego-Based Natilus Announces a New Kind of Passenger Aircraft"](https://timesofsandiego.com/tech/2024/10/24/san-diego-based-natilus-announces-a-new-kind-of-passenger-aircraft/). *Times of San Diego*. Retrieved 2025-03-07.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-:1_9-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-:1_9-1) Gomes, Nathan (December 17, 2025). ["Natilus marks India foray with new subsidiary, SpiceJet order for 100 jets"](https://www.reuters.com/world/india/natilus-marks-india-foray-with-new-subsidiary-spicejet-order-100-jets-2025-12-17/). *[Reuters](/source/Reuters)*.{{[cite web](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Cite_web)}}: CS1 maint: url-status ([link](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Category:CS1_maint:_url-status))

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-AINOnline2025_10-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-AINOnline2025_10-1) Weitering, Hanneke (2025-02-04). ["Canadian Airline Nolinor Orders Kona Cargo Freighters"](https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/futureflight/2025-02-04/canadian-airline-nolinor-orders-autonomous-freighters). *AIN Online*. Retrieved 2025-03-07.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-11)** Crider, Andrew (August 23, 2022). ["Natilus selects P&W engines for first autonomous cargo aircraft"](https://cargofacts.com/allposts/advanced-air-mobility/natilus-selects-pw-engines-for-first-autonomous-cargo-aircraft/). *Cargo Facts*.

1. ^ [***a***](#cite_ref-HorizonPR2024_12-0) [***b***](#cite_ref-HorizonPR2024_12-1) ["Natilus Debuts its New Passenger Aircraft "Horizon" to Decarbonize Global Commercial Aviation"](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/natilus-debuts-its-new-passenger-aircraft-horizon-to-decarbonize-global-commercial-aviation-302283871.html) (Press release). Natilus. October 23, 2024.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13)** Hardee, Howard (2024-11-20). ["Developer Natilus unveils 200-seat aircraft concept to challenge tube-and-wing supremacy"](https://www.flightglobal.com/airframers/developer-natilus-unveils-200-seat-aircraft-concept-to-challenge-tube-and-wing-supremacy/160828.article). *FlightGlobal*. Retrieved 2025-03-07.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-14)** Prisco, Jacopo (2024-11-01). ["'Horizon' plane's innovative shape promises greener flights and added comfort"](https://www.cnn.com/travel/natilus-horizon-blended-wing-aircraft-spc/index.html). *CNN*. Retrieved 2025-03-07.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-15)** Alcock, Charles (2024-10-23). ["Natilus Reveals Plan For 200-Seat Blended Wing Body Airliner"](https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/air-transport/2024-10-23/natilus-reveals-plan-200-seat-blended-wing-body-airliner). *AINOnline*. Retrieved 2025-03-07.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-13nov2017PR_16-0)** ["As Autonomous Technology Transforms the Global Freight Sector, Natilus Attracts More Seed Investment from Starburst Ventures, Seraph Group, Gelt VC, Outpost Capital and Draper Associates"](https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/as-autonomous-technology-transforms-the-global-freight-sector-natilus-attracts-more-seed-investment-from-starburst-ventures-seraph-group-gelt-vc-outpost-capital-and-draper-associates-300554341.html) (Press release). [Starburst Ventures](https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Starburst_Ventures&action=edit&redlink=1). Nov 13, 2017.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-17)** Jeffrey, Rebecca (2023-04-19). ["Natilus completes UAV prototype flights"](https://www.aircargonews.net/natilus-completes-uav-prototype-flights/1060278.article). *Air Cargo News*. Retrieved 2025-03-07.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-18)** ["Successful Flight of Natilus Kona Prototype Validates Performance of Unique Blended Wing Body Design"](https://www.asdnews.com/news/aerospace/2023/04/19/successful-flight-natilus-kona-prototype-validates-performance-unique-blended-wing-body-design). *ASD News*. 2023-04-19. Retrieved 2025-03-07.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-19)** Ramy RC (2025-12-12). [*Building a Prototype Blended Wing Body Aircraft, Natilus Horizon Part 1/2*](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6sSr3gFUCVo). Retrieved 2026-01-04 – via YouTube.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-20)** Batchelor, Tom (2025-12-18). ["Natilus taps a YouTuber to build its prototype blended wing aircraft"](https://aerospaceglobalnews.com/news/natilus-ramy-rc-youtuber-horizon-blended-wing-prototype-aircraft/). *Aerospace Global News*. Retrieved 2026-01-04.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-21)** Dixit, Mrigakshi (2025-12-18). ["YouTuber builds 'world's largest' blended-wing aircraft prototype"](https://interestingengineering.com/innovation/worlds-largest-blended-wing-prototype). *Interesting Engineering*. Retrieved 2026-01-04.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-NolinorPR2025_22-0)** ["Nolinor Aviation to acquire multiple cargo aircraft from Natilus"](https://nolinor.com/en/news/nolinor-aviation-to-acquire-multiple-cargo-aircraft-from-natilus/) (Press release). Nolinor Aviation. February 4, 2025.

1. **[^](#cite_ref-23)** Rains, Taylor (2025-02-04). ["Why a cargo airline is eyeing a radical new aircraft design for its future planes"](https://www.businessinsider.com/carg-airline-futuristic-blended-wing-body-plane-natlius-2025-2). *Business Insider*. Retrieved 2025-03-07.

## External links

- [Official website](http://www.natilus.co/)

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Adapted from the Wikipedia article [Natilus](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natilus) by Wikipedia contributors ([contributor history](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Natilus?action=history)). Available under [Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International](https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/4.0/). Changes may have been made.