Outbound Aerospace, founded by Jake Armenta and Ian Lee, is introducing a blended-wing airplane design that incorporates advancements in 3D printing and lightweight materials to revolutionize the aviation industry. The team has secured up to $500,000 in funding to jumpstart their ambitious project, drawing comparisons to SpaceX’s rapid innovation in the launch industry. Armenta, a former Boeing engineer, is optimistic about harnessing the same energy that drove SpaceX’s success to propel Outbound Aerospace forward.
Despite still being in stealth mode, Armenta has been sharing more details about Outbound’s vision for the future as positive developments unfold. The founders, who have known each other since studying engineering at Missouri University of Science and Technology, have been refining the design for their blended-wing airplane, named Olympic, over the past year. Their goal is to potentially create a passenger aircraft comparable in size to a midsize Boeing 757 by utilizing 3D printing and a patented manufacturing process.
With an initial $60,000 in angel funding and a significant investment commitment from Antler, Outbound Aerospace is making progress towards building a one-eighth-scale variant of their aircraft, a demonstrator plane. The plane, incorporating innovative 3D printing techniques, will undergo flight tests in Oregon before the end of the year. Outbound is collaborating with Collinear Group to develop certification plans for their revolutionary aircraft, which promises to bring about a new era in aircraft design.
The team at Outbound Aerospace comprises seven full-time employees and several contractors and consultants with experience in aerospace and engineering from companies such as SpaceX, Stoke, and Relativity Space. While lacking a billionaire benefactor like other aerospace startups, Outbound is optimistic that the success of their demonstrator flight will attract the necessary financial support to propel their venture forward. Plans are in place to raise further funds to fuel the project’s growth and development after unveiling their full-size design later this year.
The potential impact of Outbound Aerospace’s novel approach to aircraft design could disrupt the aviation industry and establish the startup as a major player in the field. By leveraging cutting-edge technologies and drawing on the expertise of a diverse team of industry professionals, the company is poised to challenge the established players like Boeing and Airbus. With a focus on innovation, efficiency, and sustainability, Outbound aims to create a new standard in aircraft manufacturing and operations that could redefine air travel in the future.
As Outbound Aerospace progresses with building and testing its demonstrator aircraft, the coming months will be critical in determining the future trajectory of the startup. With plans to secure additional funding through a large seed round at the end of the year, the team is confident in their ability to advance their vision and bring their revolutionary aircraft concept to fruition. The journey ahead promises to be an exciting and transformative one for Outbound Aerospace as they seek to make waves in the aviation industry and redefine the possibilities of aerospace engineering.
