Natilus is a San Diego startup developing large blended-wing-body autonomous/remotely-piloted cargo aircraft. The Kona (N3.8T) regional freighter carries ~3.8 t; the family aims to cut cargo cost and emissions via BWB efficiency.
| Country | USA |
|---|---|
| Subcategory | Cargo / Logistics |
| Subtype | Blended-wing-body autonomous cargo aircraft |
| Role | Autonomous air cargo transport |
| Classification | Commercial autonomous cargo UAV |
| Mission | cargo, logistics, freight |
| Variants | Kona / N3.8T (regional); Horizon (passenger/cargo) |
| MTOW (kg) | 8618 |
| Operators | Nolinor Aviation (order); SpiceJet; Volatus Aerospace |
| Frame type | Fixed-wing |
| Propulsion | Twin Pratt & Whitney turboprop engines |
| Range (km) | 1667 |
| Wingspan (m) | 26 |
| Combat-proven | No |
| Export status | Commercial, pre-delivery orders |
| Launch method | runway takeoff |
| Autonomy level | Autonomous / optionally piloted |
| Recovery method | runway landing |
| Max payload (kg) | 3855 |
| Max speed (km/h) | 407 |
| Standard sensors | autonomous flight sensors |
| Production status | In development (prototype flown) |
| Airframe / lift type | Fixed-wing |
| Control / autonomy level | Semi-autonomous (human-on-the-loop) |
| Domain | Aerial (UAV/UAS) |
| Mission / use case – civil | Delivery / logistics |
| Origin / supply chain | COTS (DJI, Autel, Skydio), Military-grade |
| Propulsion | Turbine / jet |
| Range / endurance | Long range (>650 km) |
| Signature / detectability | RCS – large |
| Speed regime | High-speed / jet (>400 km/h) |
| Threat vector | Smuggling / payload delivery |
| Weight / class | Class III – MALE (>600 kg), FAA >25 kg (Part 137 / waiver) |