Joby Aviation Makes Push Into Defense With $500 Million Acquisition. What It Means for JOBY Stock.

Joby Aviation is pushing further into defense after announcing a $500 million acquisition of Ohio-based Resonant Sciences, expanding beyond its reputation as an air-taxi company. The news initially weighed on JOBY stock, which fell 4.4% right after the announcement. The article ties the move to a broader investor shift: the iShares US Aerospace & Defense ETF (ITA) is up 17% this year, outperforming the S&P 500’s roughly 13% gain. Joby, founded in 2009, develops its S4 eVTOL designed to carry one pilot and four passengers at about 200 mph, with a targeted range near 100 miles. Joby expects its first flights in September 2026 and is in the fifth, final stage of FAA certification. The deal may redirect attention from defense back to its core air-taxi rollout, supported by partners Toyota and Uber.