# Natilus flies subscale Kona prototype, validating its blended-wing cargo design

Canonical page: https://technooptimist.io/stories/natilus-flies-subscale-kona-prototype-validating-its-blended-wing-cargo-e528b02d
Date: 19 Apr 2023
About: [Natilus](https://technooptimist.io/companies/natilus.md) · [Kona](https://technooptimist.io/aviation/kona.md)
Original source: https://natilus.co/successful-flight-of-natilus-kona-prototype-validates-performance-of-unique-blended-wing-body-design-paving-the-way-for-completion-of-full-scale-autonomous-cargo-drone/

Natilus completed multiple flights of a subscale Kona prototype from a private runway in Southern California, reaching 70 mph. The company said the flights confirmed three years of wind tunnel results and showed the shape flies stably without a complex autopilot, a known weak point of blended-wing designs.

## Key facts

- Data from the flights calibrates the autopilot code for the full-scale demonstrator.
- Full-scale first flight was then targeted for 2024.
- Natilus claimed purchase commitments for 460+ aircraft worth $6.8B at the time.

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