JetZero, the California-based start-up proposing to commercialize a “blended wing” aircraft, selected Greensboro, N.C., as the site of a $4.7-billion manufacturing center. It projects the operation will generate 14,500 jobs between 2027 and 2036.
The company claims its blended wing “is the biggest leap in commercial aircraft design since the beginning of the jet age and the best first step toward the ultimate goal of zero-carbon emissions aviation.”
The plant that would be built at Piedmont Triad International Airport in Greensboro would produce 20 aircraft per month, with commercial availability in the early 2030s. The development also includes an R&D center to research composite aircraft structures.
North Carolina is offering financial and training incentives based on job creation and other factors, but which could exceed $1 billion over 37 years.
JetZero has raised roughly $300 million for its project, and lined up federal and commercial support for the development. The U.S. Air Force agreed to cooperate in a demonstrator aircraft by 2027.
The Z4 aircraft is conceived as a single wing structure rather than as a central fuselage supporting separate wings – which is theoretically more fuel-efficient than a typical aircraft, JetZero contends the design will achieve up to 50% better fuel efficiency because it would generate lift across the entire airframe.
It’s also projected to be more spacious for up to 250 passengers and/or cargo, competing for business in the “middle market” of high-traffic routes that do not require a wide-body aircraft (e.g., the Airbus A350 or Boeing 787) but may offer more demand than can be served by standard narrow-body jets (e.g., the Airbus A320neo or Boeing 737 MAX.)
With a range of 5,000 miles the Z4 also may be adapted for military airlift or refueling missions.
The demonstrator aircraft will have some critical systems supplied by three RTX Corp. businesses: Pratt & Whitney’s PW2040 high-bypass turbofan engine; Pratt & Whitney Canada’s APS3200 auxiliary power unit; and Collins Aerospace inlet, fan cowl, and fan duct structures, as well as engine fairings and engine support structures.
United Airlines and Alaska Airlines are investors in JetZero, and both have made conditional purchase agreements for Z4 aircraft.
“JetZero’s all-wing aircraft design has the potential to transform the passenger in-flight experience while enabling a step-change improvement in fuel efficiency,” stated Andrew Chang, head of United Airlines Ventures (UAV).
