Photo: Natilus
Unlike the automotive industry, aviation still is stable in terms of who's doing what. In a nutshell, legacy makers of airplanes still own most of the market, even if at times their products and methods fail miserably. But, just like the arrival of Tesla and Chinese carmakers upset the order in the automotive world, the same will likely happen in aviation in the coming years, thanks to the efforts made by the many startups that have come to be recently.
One such startup is called Natilus (like the Lincoln SUV, only misspelled), and it operates out of San Diego, California. It first came onto our radar a couple of years ago, when it announced plans to build a blended wing body (BWB) flying machine capable of carrying cargo.
A blended wing body design means the aircraft's design shows no clear distinction between its body and the wings, despite the fact that both elements are present there. Because of its layout, it offers significantly more interior space, making it ideal for use in cargo transport.
Back in 2022 Natilus presented plans to make a series of such cargo planes - for medium-distance delivery there was the 3.8T, then came the trans-Pacific cargo variants. Since that time, the entry-level 3.8T was christened Kona, and it became not only the focus of Natilus' efforts, but also the company first-ever aircraft.
So, a BWB is perfect for cargo transport, but far less so when it comes to carrying passengers. You see, there have been attempts to make such a thing over the years, but they failed first and foremost because such an approach translates into horrible evacuation times during an emergency, for instance.
Well, it seems like this company has found a way around that, as we know get word of a second plane being in the works. It's called Horizon and you guessed it, it is meant to carry people as well as cargo.
We don't know all the details on Natilus' first passenger aircraft (not even the evacuation time workaround), but we do know enough to get us interested. Especially considering how the company describes it as a Boeing-killer.
The Horizon is said to be able to carry a total of 200 people, placing it in the same category as the Boeing 737 Max. It can also transport an unspecified amount of cargo, being capable of covering both intercontinental and transatlantic distances.
The company did not share details on the engines that will power the plane, but it does say that thanks to the design of the body and the aerodynamic efficiency fuel consumption levels should be 30 percent lower than in tube-and-wing aircraft of the same class. At the same time, the shape of the Horizon should deliver up to 40 percent greater interior volume.
The Horizon has been imagined in such a way as to be compatible with existing gate operations and airport infrastructure, so its deployment will not require significant investment and logistic changes.
Plans are to have the plane in the air early next decade. Until then, the Kona should be already operational (by the end of the 2020s), as work on that cargo plane is far more advanced.
A blended wing body design means the aircraft's design shows no clear distinction between its body and the wings, despite the fact that both elements are present there. Because of its layout, it offers significantly more interior space, making it ideal for use in cargo transport.
Back in 2022 Natilus presented plans to make a series of such cargo planes - for medium-distance delivery there was the 3.8T, then came the trans-Pacific cargo variants. Since that time, the entry-level 3.8T was christened Kona, and it became not only the focus of Natilus' efforts, but also the company first-ever aircraft.
So, a BWB is perfect for cargo transport, but far less so when it comes to carrying passengers. You see, there have been attempts to make such a thing over the years, but they failed first and foremost because such an approach translates into horrible evacuation times during an emergency, for instance.
Well, it seems like this company has found a way around that, as we know get word of a second plane being in the works. It's called Horizon and you guessed it, it is meant to carry people as well as cargo.
We don't know all the details on Natilus' first passenger aircraft (not even the evacuation time workaround), but we do know enough to get us interested. Especially considering how the company describes it as a Boeing-killer.
The Horizon is said to be able to carry a total of 200 people, placing it in the same category as the Boeing 737 Max. It can also transport an unspecified amount of cargo, being capable of covering both intercontinental and transatlantic distances.
The company did not share details on the engines that will power the plane, but it does say that thanks to the design of the body and the aerodynamic efficiency fuel consumption levels should be 30 percent lower than in tube-and-wing aircraft of the same class. At the same time, the shape of the Horizon should deliver up to 40 percent greater interior volume.
The Horizon has been imagined in such a way as to be compatible with existing gate operations and airport infrastructure, so its deployment will not require significant investment and logistic changes.
Plans are to have the plane in the air early next decade. Until then, the Kona should be already operational (by the end of the 2020s), as work on that cargo plane is far more advanced.
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