Joby to buy Resonant Sciences, establish defense business in $500 million deal

WASHINGTON — Electric aircraft startup Joby Aviation has agreed to acquire the military technology firm Resonant Sciences and convert the Dayton, Ohio-based company into Joby’s dedicated defense business, the two companies announced today. 

The $500 million acquisition consists of roughly $450 million in cash and $50 million in Joby common stock, according to a joint press release from both companies. The transaction is expected to close “in the first half of 2027,” subject to regulatory approval.

Joby is one of several electric air taxi services racing to market targeting point-to-point shuttling in urban environments — an ambition broadly slowed by developmental challenges and regulatory hurdles. The company was one of several vendors that previously pitched all-electric air vehicles to military users, but testing with the US Air Force found that fully electrified aircraft lacked the range necessary for more demanding defense missions. 

However, Joby hasn’t given up on Pentagon contracts. The company said its acquisition of Resonant — which manufactures radio frequency (RF) and mission systems, among other technologies — aims to exploit “a broader shift in defense priorities toward” low-cost autonomous aircraft that feature resilient communications, sensing and electronic countermeasures. 

After the transaction closes, Resonant will continue operating under its current name as Joby’s defense unit led by Resonant co-founder and CEO J. Micah North, the press release says. Joby plans to combine its existing military work under its new defense arm, with a focus on developing autonomous tech and “dual-use turbine-electric and hydrogen-electric aircraft.” Joby’s commercial efforts would then similarly be concentrated on the civil market for its all-electric S4 air taxi. 

“Resonant has built an exceptional business that combines advanced technology, vertically integrated production capabilities and deep customer trust,” Joby founder and CEO JoeBen Bevirt said in the release. “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.” 

According to the press release, an “early focus” of Joby’s collaboration with Resonant will consist of integrating Joby’s in-house autonomy stack with Resonant’s RF “sensing and signal-processing capabilities.”

“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,” North said in the release. “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.” 

The Resonant acquisition isn’t Joby’s first foray into defense. The company last year announced a partnership with defense contractor L3Harris for a military-specific version of the S4 modified with a hybrid-electric powertrain, mirroring a pivot in the air taxi industry to incorporate hybrid-electric technology for military applications. The S4 can take off and land vertically like a helicopter and rotate its propellers to fly like an airplane. 

A Joby spokesperson said the company’s partnership with L3Harris will be strengthened by the deal to buy Resonant because the firm currently lacks cleared personnel and secure facilities for classified military work.

“Resonant Sciences’ experienced, defense-focused team and established cleared infrastructure will eliminate this constraint,” the spokesperson said. “Following the acquisition, Joby will have the cleared personnel and FCL [facility clearance] necessary to participate more directly in classified engagements, assume a greater share of classified engineering and program responsibilities, and engage with government customers at a level that was previously difficult to support independently.”

The spokesperson added that the new defense unit established by absorbing Resonant’s staff “should enhance the value of the L3Harris partnership rather than duplicate or displace L3Harris’ role” and position Joby as a “stronger long-term partner for L3Harris and Joby’s other defense partners.”

News of Joby’s acquisition of Resonant marks a second shake up in the air taxi industry this week. On Monday, Archer Aviation announced it would buy three Boeing subsidiaries, which among other provisions would see Boeing take a sizable stake in Archer.

Along with the acquisition of Resonant, Joby also entered into an equity distribution agreement with financial firms to sell up to $750 million of the company’s common stock, according to a Securities and Exchange Commission regulatory filing published today. The move could help the company raise capital.

UPDATED 8/11/2026 at 5:15 p.m. EST with additional details on Joby’s partnership with L3Harris.