Giblin will lead execution of Natilus’ aircraft development programs as the company advances toward FAA certification and commercialization
SAN DIEGO, Sept. 9, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Today, Natilus (“Natilus”) announced that San Diego-based aerospace veteran Nolan Giblin has been promoted to Chief Operating Officer, where he will oversee cross-functional execution of the company’s aircraft programs. As COO, Nolan will lead program execution across engineering, operations, supply chain, manufacturing, market capture and strategic finance. He will also ensure technical milestones and capital allocation remain aligned as Natilus transitions from design to commercialization.
Since joining Natilus in 2022 as Head of Business Development, Nolan has played a central role in building the commercial foundation for Natilus’ blended-wing-body aircraft, KONA and HORIZON EVO. Under his guidance, the company has secured reservation agreements with operators including Ameriflight and Nolinor Aviation, building the commercial order book to 570+ aircraft pre-orders.
His promotion comes as global demand accelerates for fuel-efficient, lower-emission aircraft capable of operating within existing airport infrastructure. Natilus’ blended-wing-body design delivers substantial reductions in fuel burn and operating costs alongside greater volumetric capacity than traditional tube-and-wing aircraft. These advantages are driving strong interest from cargo and passenger operators alike as the industry works to meet rising capacity commitments.
“As we build an entirely new category of aircraft that promises to reshape the future of flight for commercial, cargo and defense markets, there isn’t a more exciting opportunity in the aviation industry,” said Nolan Giblin, COO of Natilus. “I’m invigorated by the role I play in bringing KONA and HORIZON EVO to commercialization and inspired by the opportunities ahead.”
With a bachelor’s degree from the University of San Diego and an MBA from San Diego State University, Nolan is a tenured aerospace professional with nearly two decades of business development and operations experience. Prior to joining Natilus, he held roles in business management and strategic finance across major defense aviation programs, including at Northrop Grumman and General Atomics, building the operational and financial discipline he now brings to scaling Natilus’ commercial and defense aircraft programs.
“Since Nolan joined in 2022, the company has undergone dramatic growth, due in large part to Nolan’s strategic vision and organizational prowess,” said Aleksey Matyushev, CEO of Natilus. “As we enter this next chapter, I couldn’t have a better partner to drive our business operations forward, ensure our priorities stay aligned and scale both the organization and our family of aircraft. Nolan is exactly the type of visionary needed to transform our vision of a blended-wing-body aircraft into a commercial reality.”
About Natilus
Natilus is a U.S.-based company developing a family of hyper-efficient blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft designed to transport people and cargo more sustainably and efficiently than ever before. With over 570+ aircraft pre-orders valued at $24 billion, Natilus is commercializing its BWB aircraft that unlock improved aviation economics – reducing fuel consumption by 30% and operational costs by 50% while increasing payload capacity by 40%. Founded in 2016, the Natilus team is composed of innovators from Boeing, General Atomics, Northrop Grumman, Skunkworks, SpaceX, and Piper Aircraft. Learn more at natilus.co.
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SOURCE Natilus
