Mojave Desert, startup JetZero builds novel plane to take on

Mojave Desert, startup JetZero builds novel plane to take on highlights JetZero’s push to develop a blended-wing commercial aircraft aimed at cutting fuel burn. Built in a hangar in the Mojave Desert, the California startup is constructing a full-size demonstrator for a 200-plus-seat jet, targeted to fly by the end of next year. The company says the manta ray-shaped design could reduce fuel use by up to 50%, and it has drawn early interest and investment from United Airlines and Alaska Airlines. The demonstrator is partly funded by the US Air Force and is being built by Scaled Composites, a Northrop Grumman-owned developer, using Pratt & Whitney engines also used on the Boeing 757. JetZero expects first production commercial jets in 2030, subject to certification timelines for the novel design. A successful first flight could unlock further funding, and the design may be adaptable for military transport or aerial refuelling, though major technical and financing hurdles remain before certification.