Mojave Desert, startup JetZero builds novel plane to take on Airbus and Boeing

Mojave Desert, startup JetZero builds novel plane to take on Airbus and Boeing reports that JetZero is constructing a full-size blended-wing demonstrator in California’s Mojave Desert. The company aims for a first flight by the end of next year, targeting a future 200-plus seat commercial jet concept. The demonstrator is partially funded by the U.S. Air Force and is being built for JetZero by Scaled Composites, a Northrop Grumman-owned aircraft developer. JetZero says it uses Pratt & Whitney engines similar to those powering the Boeing 757. The firm expects that a successful first flight could lead to more investment and development of commercial jets starting production from 2030, contingent on certification for the novel design. CEO Tom O’Leary told Reuters the project takes “30-plus years” of NASA research, while industry analyst Richard Aboulafia cautioned that major hurdles remain in proving fuel-efficiency gains and securing multi-billion-dollar certification funding.