Joby Aviation announced the acquisition of Resonant Sciences, the defense firm based in Dayton, Ohio, in a deal valued at $500 million. With this move, the electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft company aims to expand its presence within the military industrial complex.
The agreement will be financed with $450 million in cash and $50 million in stock. It is expected to close in early 2027. From that point on, Resonant will operate as Joby's division dedicated exclusively to defense. Meanwhile, the commercial unit will continue to focus on air taxis, which are anticipated to launch later this year.
The operation reflects an increasingly clear trend in the young electric aviation industry: looking beyond urban taxis to find new sources of revenue. Rising costs and the lengthy regulatory approval process push commercial success further into the future. For many companies, military contracts represent too attractive an opportunity to pass up.
Resonant Sciences, founded in 2015 and with around 250 employees, develops systems that allow aircraft to see, communicate, and operate in complex environments, including conflict scenarios. Its sensors, antennas, and signal processing technologies facilitate secure communications and protect against interference, while its expertise in low observability helps make aircraft harder to detect.
Combination of Technical Capabilities
Resonant's products are already qualified on more than 20 air platforms, both commercial and defense. Much of its staff holds military security clearances due to the classified nature of part of its work. Joby claims that the acquisition will allow it to combine its own propulsion and autonomy technology with Resonant's radiofrequency capabilities, sensors, and mission systems.
