Joby Aviation to Buy Resonant Sciences for $500 Million in Defence Expansion

Joby Aviation has agreed to acquire defence technology company Resonant Sciences for about $500 million in cash and stock, expanding the electric air taxi developer’s presence in the U.S. defence sector.

Ohio-based Resonant Sciences develops radio frequency and sensor systems and will become a dedicated defence business within Joby. Co-founder and CEO J. Micah North will lead the division, which will also incorporate Joby’s existing defence programs.

Joby Aviation expands defence business.

The new division will oversee projects includingJoby’ss turbine-electric and hydrogen-electric aircraft development and its autonomy technology stack. Joby said separating those programs into a dedicated business will allow the rest of the company to concentrate on certifying, manufacturing and launching its electric air taxi.

Joby is best known for developing electric vertical takeoff and landing aircraft, or eVTOLs, designed to transport passengers and goods over relatively short distances. Its defence work, however, has become increasingly visible.

Last year, Joby signed an agreement with defence contractor L3Harris Technologies to explore development of a gas-turbine hybrid VTOL aircraft capable of autonomous operation for defence applications.

The aircraft is expected to build on Joby’s S4 platform. While the S4 has primarily been developed with an all-electric powertrain, Joby demonstrated a hydrogen-electric version under a government contract in 2024 that flew 521 miles, more than twice the range of its battery-electric prototype.

Resonant Sciences brings revenue and defence access

The acquisition also gives Joby an established revenue-generating operation. Resonant Sciences has reported more than $100 million in trailing 12-month revenue and participates in classified U.S. government programs.

Its radio frequency and sensing technologies could also complement Joby’s aircraft and autonomous systems as the company develops additional defence applications.

Joby has previously used acquisitions to add near-term revenue while continuing the costly process of developing and certifying its aircraft. The company went public in 2021 through a merger with a special purpose acquisition company.

Joby has used acquisitions to build revenue.

Last year, Joby acquired Blade AirMobility’s passenger business for about $125 million. The transaction gave Joby access to a network of 12 terminals in important markets, including locations serving John F. Kennedy International Airport, Newark Liberty International Airport, Manhattan and Wall Street.

The Blade business has already become an important source of revenue. Joby reported $38.6 million in second-quarter revenue, with $36.2 million generated by Blade.

Adding Resonant Sciences gives Joby another operating business while its commercial electric air taxi remains under development. It also creates a dedicated structure for the company’s growing defence programs while allowing its core aviation operation to remain focused on bringing the S4 to market.