Joby to buy Resonant Sciences, establish defense business in $500 million deal
Joby Aviation agreed to buy Resonant Sciences to form a dedicated defense business in a $500 million deal, with about $450 million in cash and $50 million in Joby common stock, subject to regulatory approval and expected to close in H1 2027. Resonant will keep its name and leadership. Joby also entered an equity distribution agreement to sell up to $750 million of common stock.
How this was made
The 30-second read
Why it matters
Joby’s $500 million purchase of Resonant is positioned to overcome defense constraints by adding RF, sensing, and mission systems plus cleared infrastructure for classified engagements, and by integrating autonomy capabilities.
Market read
A disclosed, cash-and-stock acquisition plus a stated defense-unit buildout is a tangible catalyst for Joby and the broader eVTOL-defense convergence narrative.
What to watch
The article notes an equity distribution agreement to sell up to $750 million of stock, which could increase dilution risk and affect valuation even if the strategic rationale is strong.
Background
Joby is an electric air taxi company that has sought Pentagon work, but prior Air Force testing found fully electrified aircraft lacked range for demanding missions.
Ticker impact
Joby agreed to buy Resonant Sciences for $500 million, combining RF/mission systems with its autonomy stack and defense unit plans.
Likely positive near-term sentiment on deal clarity, with volatility around regulatory approval and integration milestones into 1H 2027.
A $500 million cash-and-stock acquisition plus stated intent to enable classified engagements is a concrete catalyst, but the article provides no deal economics beyond consideration and no immediate financial guidance.
Market effects
Signals consolidation in electric air taxi and defense-adjacent autonomy, potentially increasing competitive pressure for other defense-focused eVTOL vendors.
Dayton, Ohio-based Resonant becomes Joby’s defense unit, reinforcing US defense manufacturing and engineering footprint.
Could strengthen US defense supply-chain positioning for autonomous, resilient communications and sensing systems, with potential read-through to allied procurement interest.
Counterpoint
The acquisition may not translate into near-term revenue because classified clearances and program awards can lag, while integration risk could distract from commercial S4 execution.
Key entities
- companyJoby Aviation
Electric air taxi startup acquiring Resonant to form a dedicated defense business and integrate autonomy with RF sensing.
- companyResonant Sciences
RF and mission systems provider whose cleared team and facilities are intended to enable classified defense work within Joby.
- companyL3Harris Technologies
Defense contractor partner; Joby says the deal should enhance the L3Harris partnership rather than displace it.
