JetZero Supports US Air Force With Future Aircraft Fueled Efficient"

Ilsutasi pabrik pesawat. (photo: twitter @RollsRoyce)

JAKARTA - JetZero, a startup company from California that has received support from the US Air Force to build future aircraft demonstrators, predicts that a 50% potential fuel consumption cuts will open up opportunities in the aviation industry as well as at the Pentagon, the company's Chief Executive Officer (CEO) said.

On Wednesday, August 16, the US Air Force announced a contract worth US$235 million (Rp3.5 trillion) to the California startup to develop a "blended wing body" demonstrator, named after it because its wings blended with the winding aircraft body, reducing drag.

This concept has existed since the 1940s but has gained attention again due to its efficient elliptic shape, saving fuel and increasing flight distance.

It is hoped that the demonstrator will fly in 2027 and could affect the design of military cargo aircraft and air refueling aircraft in the future. The Air Force hopes to start buying new generation of refueling aircraft by the mid-2030s and focus on designs that could offer greater flight distance and stealth capabilities needed in Asia-Pacific.

While military contracts could provide an opportunity for JetZero to enter aircraft production, the company is also targeting the civilian market which is said to have gaps between medium and long-range aircraft. "JetZero has plans to market aircraft with a capacity of 200-250 passengers in this segment," said CEO Tom O'Leary, quoted by Reuters.

Boeing halted its "market center" aircraft project in 2022, arguing the case did not work. Meanwhile, Airbus is focused on a smaller model expansion.

In the interview, O'Leary said this would not stop JetZero and its radical designs.

"We've started conversations with all airlines and are looking into the extent of their interest in aircraft in the central market," he told Reuters. "There is universal interest and attraction because everyone is interested in fuel efficiency and emission reduction."

Two people familiar with the process say that the Air Force, which wants to take advantage of higher volumes and lower costs, has demanded that bidders include civilian designs at bidding.

JetZero's partner, Northrop Grumman (NOC.N), will produce the demonstrator.

This relies on Northrop's legacy in the flying wing stealth bomber - a more radical bat-edged design - although analysts say success in the civilian market relies on achieving a very different reliability goal from military aircraft.

JetZero plans to use the Pratt & Whitney's (RTX.N) Geared Turbofan engine which is also used by Airbus. The decision has not been taken for the actual production model.

An analyst from Capital Alpha Partners, Byron Callan, said that the decision to support JetZero showed the Air Force's "frustration" towards traditional aerospace companies that use money to support shareholders rather than risk greater development.

"One way to potentially change behavior is to give contracts to small companies like JetZero," he wrote.