Key Highlights
Joby Aviation announces $500 million acquisition of Resonant Sciences to bolster defense operations.
The transaction brings more than $100 million in annual revenue and enhanced defense capabilities.
JOBY shares declined 4.98% in premarket sessions following a 1.97% gain to $8.81 in regular trading.
Acquisition includes sensitive defense infrastructure, radio frequency technology, and government contracts.
Transaction completion anticipated in the first half of 2027 pending regulatory clearance.
Shares of Joby Aviation experienced premarket declines following the electric aircraft manufacturer’s announcement of a significant defense sector acquisition. The stock traded at $8.39, representing a 4.98% decrease, after finishing the previous session at $8.81 with a modest 1.97% increase. The company revealed plans to purchase Resonant Sciences in a deal valued at approximately $500 million.
Strategic Defense Expansion Through Resonant Sciences Purchase
This acquisition represents a significant milestone in Joby‘s strategy to diversify beyond commercial electric aviation. Resonant Sciences brings a well-established defense technology platform that actively supports critical United States national security initiatives. The transaction provides immediate access to secure facilities, specialized manufacturing infrastructure, expert engineering talent, and established government partnerships.
Following regulatory approval and deal completion, Resonant Sciences will function as the dedicated defense arm of Joby’s business operations. The subsidiary will maintain its current branding and leadership, with J. Micah North continuing as chief executive. Joby plans to consolidate its existing defense-related initiatives under this expanded division.
Current defense projects include innovative turbine-electric propulsion systems, hydrogen-powered electric aircraft, and cutting-edge autonomous flight technologies suitable for both military and civilian applications. Joby’s commercial electric air taxi program will operate independently, maintaining focus on regulatory certification and scaling production. This organizational approach allows simultaneous growth in defense contracting while advancing the company’s primary commercial aviation mission.
Resonant Sciences Contributes Robust Revenue and Advanced Capabilities
Resonant Sciences maintains a workforce of approximately 250 professionals specializing in sophisticated radio frequency technologies for defense applications. The company’s product portfolio encompasses advanced sensing platforms, secure communications infrastructure, electronic warfare systems, and autonomous operational capabilities. These technologies serve various government agencies and prime defense contractors across multiple ongoing programs.
Financial performance shows impressive momentum, with revenue climbing roughly 40% year-over-year to surpass $100 million over the trailing twelve-month period. The company has demonstrated adjusted EBITDA margins in the high-teens percentage range recently. Leadership anticipates margin expansion as production scales across recently secured defense contracts.
New bookings in early 2026 reached triple the level recorded during the same period one year prior. Simultaneously, the company’s order backlog expanded by more than 100% compared to the previous year. These metrics provide Joby with a solid revenue foundation as it pursues broader defense market opportunities.
Expanded Manufacturing Footprint Strengthens Operational Scale
Resonant Sciences currently operates approximately 105,000 square feet of specialized engineering and production facilities distributed across seven buildings in the Dayton, Ohio region. The company is actively constructing an additional 125,000-square-foot complex designed to accommodate expanded testing capabilities, composite materials processing, precision machining, and higher production volumes. Beyond Ohio, Resonant maintains operational sites in Virginia, West Virginia, Michigan, Colorado, and North Carolina.
Joby currently maintains roughly 768,000 square feet of manufacturing and development space in Ohio. The combined entity will control nearly one million square feet of aerospace production infrastructure in the Dayton area. This consolidated footprint positions the company to pursue larger-scale defense programs while simultaneously expanding overall aerospace manufacturing competencies.
The purchase price consists of approximately $450 million in cash consideration and $50 million in Joby common stock. Completion is expected during the first half of 2027, contingent upon standard regulatory approvals and closing conditions. In the interim, JOBY stock continues trading below the previous day’s closing price following the initial premarket response.
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