Air taxi firm Joby acquires Resonant Sciences for $500 million

Joby Aviation, a California-based air taxi firm, has announced that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Resonant Sciences, a Dayton, Ohio-based defense technology company, for approximately USD 500 million. The acquisition will represent a significant expansion of Joby’s defense business, delivering immediate scale through a rapidly growing and EBITDA-positive business supporting active US national security programs, Joby said in a press release.

Resonant also brings classified infrastructure, qualified products, established production operations and longstanding customer relationships, as well as an experienced technical team. By bringing together the companies’ complementary aerospace engineering capabilities, the combination will create a scaled defense growth platform that accelerates autonomy and expands the applications for Joby’s technology.

Upon closing, Resonant will become Joby’s dedicated defense business and continue to operate under the Resonant Sciences name, led by co-founder and CEO J. Micah North.

Joby’s existing defense initiatives will be consolidated within the new business unit. These include the development of dual-use turbine-electric and hydrogen-electric aircraft, as well as a dual-use autonomy technology stack. Housing this work within Resonant will allow Joby’s commercial aviation organization to maintain its primary focus on certifying, manufacturing, and commercializing its electric air taxi, Joby said.

“Resonant has built an exceptional business that combines advanced technology, vertically integrated production capabilities and deep customer trust,” said JoeBen Bevirt, Founder and CEO of Joby Aviation. “The combination will pair Resonant’s established capabilities with Joby’s globally leading aircraft propulsion technologies, creating a powerful platform for the next phase of Resonant’s growth.”  

 The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2027, subject to customary closing conditions, including applicable regulatory reviews. Joby said it expects to fund the transaction with approximately USD 450 million in cash and USD 50 million in Joby common stock.  

“Demand for advanced defense technology is growing rapidly, and Resonant has built the technology, customer relationships and manufacturing capabilities required to meet it,” said J. Micah North, Co-Founder and CEO of Resonant Sciences. “Joining Joby gives our team access to additional engineering depth, aircraft platforms, autonomy technology and production expertise, allowing us to move faster for our existing customers and pursue opportunities that neither company could address alone.”