Five on Friday: JetZero, Signature and Archer

Maybe the most credible entrant to disrupt the duopoly of Boeing and Airbus got another step closer to realising its potential last week.

JetZero has decided on Greensboro, North Carolina as the location for its first advanced manufacturing and final assembly facility. The factory, to be built on the grounds of Piedmont Triad International Airport, will be capable of producing 20 aircraft per month at full run rate – expected to be achieved by the late 2030s.

According to reports, JetZero will invest more than $4bn in the factory over 10 years.

The company joins fellow OEMs/developers HondaJet and Boom Supersonic at the North Carolina airport.

“I am thrilled to welcome JetZero and its 14,000 good-paying jobs and unprecedented innovation to Guilford County,” said North Carolina Governor Josh Stein. “From first in flight to now the future of flight, North Carolina and our skilled workforce is soaring.” 

According to the New York State Department of Commerce, state and local incentives for JetZero and the project could exceed $2.35bn by the 2060s if thresholds for investment and job-creation, as well as other requirements are met.

Construction is expected to begin in the first half of 2026, with first customer deliveries in the early 2030s. The facility will be built in partnership with Siemens’ smart infrastructure, electrification and automation divisions using artificial intelligence tools to improve building practices where possible.

The blended-wing-body airliner developer has also completed the critical design review for its Z4 aircraft.

According to Florentina Viscotchi, JetZero’s chief technology officer, the company is working on an “iron bird” test rig for ground tests. Additionally, it has completed initial wing tests in partnership with Scaled Composites, who will also help to construct JetZero’s full-scale demonstrator due for a maiden flight in 2027.