U.S. Air Force awards Natilus $3.5 million for KONA aircraft development
Funding will support development and testing of the optionally piloted KONA regional freighter.
Event / data period: 2026-10-21
Published: · Updated:
Natilus said on 21 October it received $3.5 million in U.S. Air Force research, development, test and evaluation funding for its KONA aircraft. The company said the support is intended to advance the programme toward full-scale flight testing and a Joint Force demonstration.
KONA is being developed as an optionally piloted regional freighter with an 800-nautical-mile range. Natilus also says it is designed to use about 30% less fuel than comparable conventional aircraft; these are company specifications and claims for a programme still in development.
Data
Funding amount
Amount announced for research and development funding
- Funding amount
- 3.5 million USD
- 2026-10-21 · Observed
Methodology
The $3.5 million amount is the funding announced by Natilus; the release describes it as RDT&E support, not an aircraft purchase price or completed development result.
Updated:
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