Electric air taxi developer Joby acquires Resonant Sciences to scale defence business

Joby Aviation, the California-based electric air taxi developer, has agreed to acquire Ohio defence contractor Resonant Sciences in a deal valued at approximately $500 million, marking a major expansion of its defence business alongside its commercial aviation ambitions.

The acquisition, first reported by the Dayton Daily News, brings together Joby’s electric aircraft and autonomy technologies with Resonant’s defence systems expertise, classified infrastructure and military customer relationships. The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2027.

Once completed, Resonant will become Joby’s dedicated defence business and continue operating under the Resonant Sciences name.

Defence capabilities move to the forefront

Joby is best known for developing battery-powered aircraft designed to take off and land vertically like helicopters before transitioning to forward flight like conventional aeroplanes. However, the company is increasingly investing in defence and national security applications.

In an announcement cited by the Dayton Daily News, Joby said Resonant brings:

• Classified infrastructure and secure facilities
• Established production operations
• Qualified defence products
• Longstanding customer relationships
• An experienced technical workforce

Joby said combining the two businesses would create a larger defence platform capable of accelerating autonomy technologies and broadening applications for its aerospace systems.

Speaking to the Dayton Daily News, JoeBen Bevirt, Joby’s founder and chief executive, said the acquisition creates significant operational scale in Ohio.

“This gives us more than a million square feet in Dayton,” Bevirt said.

He added that Resonant has developed technologies that complement Joby’s own aerospace capabilities and highlighted the defence expertise of its workforce.

According to Bevirt, more than 90% of Resonant employees hold security clearances, providing access to sensitive defence programmes and classified work.

Resonant leadership to oversee defence operations

Under the new structure, J. Micah North, founder and chief executive of Resonant Sciences, will lead Joby’s defence activities.

North said growing demand for advanced defence technologies had created opportunities to expand the company's reach and capabilities.

According to Joby's acquisition announcement, North said access to Joby's engineering resources, aircraft platforms, autonomy systems and production expertise would allow the combined business to pursue projects beyond the scope of either company independently.

He also stated that Resonant's leadership team, workforce and customer commitments would remain in place following the acquisition.

Ohio footprint continues to expand

The transaction further strengthens Joby's ties to the Dayton region, where it has been steadily building manufacturing and engineering capacity.

Key developments include:

• Joby's propeller blade production facility at Dayton International Airport
• A $62 million industrial property acquisition in Vandalia for long-term aircraft assembly operations
• Plans to assemble four aircraft per month in 2027
• The addition of approximately 250 Resonant Sciences employees, most based in Beavercreek

Resonant itself has expanded rapidly in recent years. Founded in Beavercreek in 2015, the company broke ground in October 2025 on a 125,000-square-foot facility on Research Boulevard, its fifth location in the city.

The company operates multiple facilities across Beavercreek and specialises in designing, building and testing systems for US military aircraft.

Its portfolio includes:

• Advanced radomes
• Antennas
• Communications systems
• Radar technologies
• Electronic warfare equipment
• Direction-finding systems

North previously told the Dayton Daily News that the company's work spans antennas and radomes, radar systems, modelling and measurement technologies, and integrated electronics.

Regional leaders back the deal

The acquisition has received support from economic development organisations in Ohio, which view the transaction as a significant boost for the state's aerospace and defence sector.

Jeff Hoagland, president and chief executive of the Dayton Development Coalition, said the deal brings together two leading aerospace businesses and creates opportunities for growth across both commercial and defence markets.

J.P. Nauseef, president and chief executive of JobsOhio, said the partnership combines Joby's expertise in advanced electric aircraft with Resonant's experience in national security and mission-critical defence systems.

Their comments were cited in statements released following the acquisition announcement.

Commercial ambitions continue alongside defence growth

The acquisition comes as Joby advances preparations for commercial deployment of electric vertical take-off and landing aircraft.

The company recently announced a lease for 45,000 square feet at Alliance Air Trade Center at Perot Field Fort Worth Alliance Airport in Texas. Joby said the facility will support flight operations under the federal Electric Vertical Takeoff and Landing and Advanced Air Mobility Integration Pilot Program (eIPP), which is designed to support the safe introduction of next-generation aircraft.

While Joby's air taxi programme remains a core focus, the Resonant acquisition signals a broader strategy that places defence and national security alongside commercial advanced air mobility.

As the company moves towards aircraft production and commercial operations, the addition of a defence contractor with established military programmes, classified infrastructure and specialised engineering expertise provides a new avenue for growth beyond passenger aviation.