TROY, MI, Mar 25, 2025 – Altair and JetZero have joined hands to drive next-gen aerospace innovation. The blended-wing aircraft is designed to improve fuel efficiency, increase flight range, and offer a lighter, more streamlined structure than traditional planes. JetZero estimates this design could cut fuel use and emissions by up to 50%, relying solely on its unique build. JetZero is utilizing Altair FlightStream – part of the Altair HyperWorks design and simulation platform – to perform advanced computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, reduce computational costs, and streamline innovation and time to market.
“Altair is delighted that JetZero, a true pioneer in the world of aerospace today, is leveraging our simulation and AI technology to push limits in airplane design,” said Pietro Cervellera, senior vice president of aerospace and defense, Altair. “JetZero’s vision is to reshape aviation to usher in a more efficient, more sustainable aerospace industry – we share this same vision. There is no better technology portfolio today to accelerate design, reduce complexity, and expand boundaries in aerospace than Altair’s.”
“JetZero uses Altair technology because it helps us deliver on our mission of making the biggest leap forward in aviation since the dawn of the jet age,” said Tom O’Leary, co-founder and chief executive officer of JetZero. “With FlightStream and other tools within the Altair portfolio, our team can run the simulations on an accelerated time frame, at scale, and with the simplicity we need to transform an industry. The Z4 airplane is inevitable, and Altair is helping us to shape the future of aviation.”
Altair’s solutions enable JetZero to connect advanced CFD simulations with engineering workflows. This integration helps address design challenges in aerodynamic surfaces and structures during conceptual and preliminary stages, making the process faster and efficient than traditional methods. FlightStream offers rapid computational speeds and requires minimal hardware footprint. Its intuitive interface and aerodynamic solver make it an effective tool for early-stage design iterations and detailed aerodynamic analysis.
JetZero is also a member of the Altair Aerospace Startup Acceleration Program (ASAP). Through ASAP, JetZero gains affordable, flexible access to Altair’s entire portfolio of simulation, data analytics, and artificial intelligence (AI) tools, including solutions to conduct interior noise studies.
Blended-wing airplanes differ from traditional tube-and-wing designs in that the aircraft’s wings are blended with its body, allowing all body surfaces to produce lift and minimize drag. A wider body also increases the interior space, elevating the passenger experience or maximizing payload for a freighter variant. The blended wing body is an efficient structure, reducing weight and noise compared to conventional aircraft designs. With the engines mounted on the top back, engine noise will be directed upwards on takeoff and landing, reducing noise for the communities neighboring the airport. JetZero plans to achieve its first full-scale flight design in 2027.
Source: Altair
About Altair
Altair Engineering Inc., founded in 1985 and headquartered in Troy, MI, is a computational science and AI leader. The company offers software and cloud solutions across various domains, including product development, high-performance computing (HPC), simulation, AI, and data analytics. Altair’s comprehensive, open-architecture platforms empower organizations to design more efficient and sustainable products and processes. Altair has established itself as a key player in engineering and enterprise analytics, serving automotive, aerospace, and manufacturing industries. In 2024, Siemens announced its agreement to acquire Altair for $10.6 billion, aiming to strengthen its position in industrial software.
About JetZero
JetZero, founded in 2021 and headquartered in Long Beach, CA, is an aviation startup developing blended wing body (BWB) aircraft to reduce fuel consumption and emissions. Their designs integrate the wings and fuselage into a single structure, enhancing aerodynamic efficiency and offering potential fuel savings of up to 50% compared to traditional aircraft. Serving both commercial and military aviation sectors, JetZero has secured partnerships with organizations like the U.S. Air Force, NASA, and the FAA. In August 2023, the U.S. Air Force awarded JetZero a $235 million contract to develop a full-scale demonstrator, with a first flight expected by 2027. The company employs approximately 128 people and has raised significant funding to advance its innovative aircraft designs.