Joby to Form Dedicated Defense Business With $500M Resonant Buyout

Vertical takeoff and landing aircraft developer Joby Aviation has agreed to acquire defense technology company Resonant Sciences for approximately $500 million.

The acquisition will launch the Ohio-based firm as Joby’s dedicated defense business unit, consolidating its military initiatives, including turbine-electric and hydrogen-electric hybrid aircraft and autonomous systems, while keeping its core commercial team focused on air taxi certification.

Joby will fund the purchase with $450 million in cash and $50 million in common stock.

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2027, subject to regulatory approvals.

J. Micah North, co-founder and CEO of Resonant, will continue leading the defense unit under its original name.

“Joining Joby gives our team access to additional engineering depth, aircraft platforms, autonomy technology and production expertise,” North said.

“Resonant’s name, leadership, people and commitments to our customers will remain in place. What changes is the scale of what we can build and deliver.”

Resonant develops advanced radio frequency, sensor, and low-observability stealth systems for US national security customers.

The defense company generated over $100 million in revenue over the last 12 months, supported by active government programs and a workforce of approximately 250 employees.

“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. “What makes this combination especially compelling is how closely aligned our teams are.”

“Having worked with Micah and his team for several years, we know that we share a passion for deep technical innovation, a bias toward solving hard problems from first principles and a vertically integrated approach that brings design, engineering, testing and production together under one roof,” Bevirt added.