Natilus orders carbon-fiber wings from Composites Universal Group for full-scale Kona prototype
Natilus chose Composites Universal Group to build wings for the full-scale prototype of the Kona cargo aircraft; delivery is planned for spring 2027.
The American company Natilus has chosen Composites Universal Group to build the wings for a full-scale prototype of its Kona cargo aircraft, ixbt.com reports. ixbt.com
ixbt.comixbt.comOpen source ↗ The aircraft has a mass of 3.8 tonnes and can fly with optional autonomous control. Delivery of the finished wings is planned for spring 2027.
Carbon fiber instead of aluminum
Instead of conventional aluminum, the structure will be made of carbon fiber. This material resists corrosion and fatigue loads better, and the technology reduces the number of parts, fasteners and rivets. The design itself stays traditional, with spars like those of ordinary aircraft. The wings will have no fuel tanks, and a system of cables and pulleys will operate the high-lift mechanization.
The manufacturer intends to use aviation materials that meet FAA standards, along with technologies used in the serial Beechcraft King Air family. After delivery to the Natilus site in San Diego, the wings will undergo joint and material tests, followed by ultimate-load testing. This is needed to confirm strength before the demonstration flight of the full-scale prototype.
Kona layout and company funding
Kona has an unusual layout with an integrated wing and fuselage, but for individual components the company intends to use proven aviation technologies. The developer expects to reduce fuel consumption and operating costs compared with conventional cargo aircraft. ixbt.com
ixbt.comixbt.comOpen source ↗
Natilus is actively raising funds. In February it announced $28 million in funding, and last month it received another $3.5 million for research and development. Tests of a scaled-down Kona prototype began in 2023. The company now has more than 570 preliminary orders for aircraft worth about $24 billion.
Besides the cargo Kona, Natilus is developing the 200-seat Horizon passenger aircraft, which is intended to compete with the Boeing 737. Earlier the company also considered larger cargo aircraft, Alisio and Nordes, with payloads of 60 and 100 tonnes respectively.
