Natilus Enlists Composites Universal Group to Build Wings for its Full-Scale Blended-Wing-Body Regional Freighter KONA

• Initiation of wing build contract is a vital step in bringing KONA to market for cargo and defense applications
• Natilus and Composites Universal Group will rely on reliable, proven engineering methods and material sciences to build the one-of-a-kind blended-wing

SAN DIEGO, Nov. 11, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Natilus, a U.S.-based aerospace manufacturer of blended-wing-body aircraft, today announced it has commissioned composites manufacturer Composites Universal Group to build wings for the full-scale prototype of its blended-wing regional freighter KONA. This development follows the Air Force's recent investment of $3.5 million R&D funding to accelerate the development of KONA toward full-scale flight testing.

With experience working with Airbus Defense & Space, Boeing, Archer Aviation and SpaceX, Composites Universal Group will take a disciplined approach to building the wing in its Oregon facility. The team has established a streamlined tooling process to reduce costs and expedite the timeline, promising delivery to Natilus in the spring of 2027.

Natilus and Composites Universal Group will leverage existing engineering in the wing production – emulating production of traditional tube-and-wing builds of the Beechcraft King Air series of aircraft at Textron Aviation along with numerous other certified aircraft within the transport and cargo markets. KONA's wing relies on conventional layout with spars and ribs, which is the same basic structure flown on certified aircraft for decades. The wing will incorporate FAA-standard aerospace materials and will use the proven cable and pulley system for flight controls. The wings will be 'dry' meaning it contains no fuel tanks that would introduce additional complexity.

Unlike today's aluminum wings, Composites Universal Group will use carbon fiber, which offers several benefits such as reduced corrosion rates and fatigue-resistance over time. Additionally, it requires fewer parts and fasteners to join the wing, minimizing the need for individual riveted panels and thousands of drilled holes. Combined with the improvements in aerodynamics and 40% additional payload capacity, Natilus is focused on building a derisked, cost-effective aircraft.

"Natilus is pushing the envelope by designing an aircraft that offers impressive reductions in fuel consumption and operational costs, but our disciplined approach and vast expertise in building next-gen aircrafts – from eVTOLs to unmanned systems – makes us a strong partner for this endeavor," said Steve Ruege, co-founder, President and CEO of Composites Universal Group. "We're honored to be a part of this groundbreaking build that will reshape the aviation industry."

Once on site at Natilus's San Diego hangar, the wings will undergo coupon and bond joint testing and then limit load testing to validate the physics and ensure durability ahead of the full-scale demonstration flight.

"KONA's blended wing may look different than any plane on the market today, but we are utilizing off-the-shelf technology for the wing build," said Aleksey Matyushev, CEO of Natilus. "At Natilus, we are committed to building an aircraft that delivers on the quality standards that our freighter customers and the U.S. Air Force expect and require."

About Natilus
Natilus is a U.S.-based company developing a family of hyper-efficient blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft designed to transport people and cargo more sustainably and efficiently than ever before. With over 570+ aircraft pre-orders valued at $24 billion, Natilus is commercializing its BWB aircraft that unlock improved aviation economics – reducing fuel consumption by 30% and operational costs by 50% while increasing payload capacity by 40%. Founded in 2016, the Natilus team is composed of innovators from Boeing, General Atomics, Northrop Grumman, Skunkworks, SpaceX, and Piper Aircraft. Learn more at natilus.co.

SOURCE Natilus