Overview
- JetZero closed a $175 million Series B led by B Capital with participation from United Airlines Ventures, Northrop Grumman, 3M Ventures and RTX Ventures.
- The company says the funding will accelerate a full-scale Z4 demonstrator with a first flight targeted for 2027.
- Northrop’s Scaled Composites is building the initial prototype in Mojave, while JetZero plans a $4.7 billion production facility at North Carolina’s Piedmont Triad International Airport.
- The blended-wing Z4 is pitched for roughly 250 passengers and a 5,000 nm range with estimated fuel-burn reductions of about 30–50% versus comparable tube-and-wing jets.
- Commercial and defense traction includes United’s contingent agreement for up to 100 aircraft plus 100 options and a $235 million DIU award, though FAA certification and production scale-up remain major risks.