Natilus has promoted San Diego-based aerospace executive Nolan Giblin to Chief Operating Officer, placing him in charge of coordinating execution across the company’s aircraft programmes as it moves closer to commercialising its blended-wing-body aircraft.
In his new position, Giblin will oversee programme execution across engineering, operations, supply chain, manufacturing, market capture and strategic finance. His responsibilities will also include coordinating technical milestones with capital allocation as Natilus transitions from the design stage toward commercial production.
Giblin joined Natilus in 2022 as Head of Business Development and has since played a central role in shaping the company’s commercial strategy for its blended-wing-body aircraft programmes, KONA and HORIZON EVO.
During his tenure, Natilus secured reservation agreements with operators including Ameriflight and Nolinor Aviation. Those agreements have helped build an orderbook exceeding 570 aircraft pre-orders.
His promotion comes as the aviation industry faces growing demand for aircraft capable of delivering greater fuel efficiency and lower emissions while operating within existing airport infrastructure. Natilus says its blended-wing-body configuration can reduce fuel consumption and operating costs while offering more cargo volume than conventional tube-and-wing aircraft.
Those characteristics have attracted interest from both cargo and passenger operators as the aviation sector looks to add capacity in response to continued demand growth.
“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 commercialisation and inspired by the opportunities ahead.”
Giblin holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of San Diego and an MBA from San Diego State University. He brings nearly 20 years of experience spanning aerospace business development and operations.
Before joining Natilus, Giblin held business management and strategic finance positions supporting major defence aviation programmes at companies including Northrop Grumman and General Atomics. His background combines operational management and financial planning, experience he will now bring to the expansion of Natilus’ commercial and defence aircraft programmes.
Natilus CEO Aleksey Matyushev said Giblin’s contribution has been an important part of the company’s growth since he joined in 2022.
“Since Nolan joined in 2022, the company has undergone dramatic growth, due in large part to Nolan’s strategic vision and organisational prowess,” Matyushev said. “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.”
Natilus, a US-based aerospace company, is developing a family of blended-wing-body (BWB) aircraft intended to carry passengers and cargo with greater efficiency and lower emissions.
Founded in 2016, the company has secured more than 570 aircraft pre-orders valued at $24 billion. Its team includes aerospace professionals with backgrounds at Boeing, General Atomics, Northrop Grumman, Skunk Works, SpaceX and Piper Aircraft.
