Free Republic

A new aircraft is coming in hot. JetZero, the California-based aerospace company, is in the midst of ejecting Boeing from the game with its newest prototype — the Z4. The aircraft is a blended-wing-body, and it’s aimed at disrupting air travel. The Z4 is set apart from the traditional tube-and-wing design most airliners have today. JetZero’s new model blends the wings and body into one surface. This creates an aerodynamic lift and could help conserve fuel.

JetZero plans to accelerate development of its blended wing body (BWB) commercial aircraft after securing approximately $175 million in new financing, giving the US start-up the resources to push its unconventional airliner concept through full-scale testing and toward flight.The Series B funding round, led by global investment firm B Capital and backed by a mix of airline, aerospace and industrial investors, will be channelled into advancing the Z4 programme and its associated full-size demonstrator, which JetZero plans to fly in 2027.The California-based startup said the injection of capital will help it shift from validating the concept to execution for an...