Natilus selects ZeroAvia ZA600 hydrogen-electric engines

Render of a Natilus Kona cargo aircraft powered by ZeroAvia engines.
Image Credit: ZeroAvia

ZeroAvia has announced a new partnership with Natilus, a company designing and developing new autonomous blended-wing body (BWB) cargo aircraft.

The goal of the new partnership is to jointly develop hydrogen-electric engines for the Natilus Kona cargo aircraft.

ZeroAvia’s ZA600 engine will be the sole hydrogen-electric propulsion source offered for the novel Kona short-haul feeder UAV. A further aim of the partnership is to focus on delivering zero-emission and lower cost operations.

About the Natilus Kona


The Natilus Kona, with its revolutionary blended-wing body design, offers increased volume for hydrogen storage.

This has the potential to transform the air cargo delivery industry to one with low-cost, low carbon emissions, while also extending flight range.

The partnership with ZeroAvia will leverage their expertise in hydrogen-electric powertrain technology with Natilus’ unique design to create a scalable, long-range, and zero-emission air cargo delivery solution for the entire industry.

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Natilus recently validated the performance of its BWB design with flight testing of a quarter-scale Kona prototype aircraft, following three years of extensive wind-tunnel testing.

Meanwhile, ZeroAvia has now conducted eight test flights of its prototype ZA600, 600kW engine in a 19-seat testbed aircraft.

Partnership statements


Aleksey Matyushev, Co-founder and CEO of Natilus, said: “Natilus has a long-term commitment to being a responsible steward of our environment, instituting practices that can protect the environment through continual improvements to save fuel and water, reduce waste, air emissions, noise, and material consumption.”

“The Natilus-ZeroAvia partnership goes further, bringing the talents and innovations of the two companies together to deliver much needed innovation in the air cargo delivery industry and multiple solutions for our customers.” 

Val Miftakhov, Founder and CEO of ZeroAvia, said: “Given Natilus’ impressive order book and corresponding technology development, working together on integrating the ZA600 as a line-fit engine for Kona can multiply the emissions and costs benefits that are already interesting cargo operators.”

“We all depend on air cargo operators, and some communities depend on them absolutely, so improving the economics and environmental impacts of these operations while increasing service levels is a massive opportunity.”

Testing the ZA600 engine


ZeroAvia is already fairly advanced in its testing and demonstration program for the ZA600 engine. It already has significant agreements in place with airframe manufacturers, and the further progression of the engine to commercial operation looks highly positive.

A ZeroAvia hydrogen powered aircraft takes off
Photo Credit: ZeroAvia

ZeroAvia has demonstrated a prototype of the ZA600 with world-first flight testing of a retrofitted 19-seat aircraft in flight.

The company has twice held the record for demonstrating the largest hydrogen fuel cell aircraft and has struck several important agreements with airframe OEMs relevant to ZA600 – including Textron Aviation, manufacturer of the Cessna Caravan, and private aircraft manufacturer Otto Aviation.

Natilus orders


Natilus is similarly advanced in pre-order commitments for its aircraft, having gained significant orders from some high profile airlines and aerospace companies.

Natilus currently has more than $6.8 billion in order commitments, and 460+ aircraft in pre-orders, from companies including major airlines and integrators: Ameriflight, Volatus Aerospace, Flexport, Astral, Aurora International, and Dymond.

The company is now working on construction of a full-scale Kona technology demonstrator, which will have a wingspan of 85 feet (26 meters).

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By Len Varley - Assistant Editor 4 Min Read
4 Min Read
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