Joby Aviation has agreed to acquire Dayton, Ohio-based defence technology company Resonant Sciences for approximately $500 million, in a move that will significantly expand its presence in the defence and dual-use aerospace market.
Under the agreement, Resonant will become Joby’s dedicated defence business while continuing to operate under its existing name and leadership. Joby’s commercial aviation business will remain focused on developing, certifying and commercialising its electric air taxi.
Founded in 2015, Resonant employs around 250 people and develops radio-frequency (RF) sensing, mission systems, electronic countermeasures, communications and low-observability technologies for US national security customers and defence prime contractors.
The company generated more than $100 million in revenue over the last 12 months, representing approximately 40% year-on-year growth, while maintaining high-teens adjusted EBITDA margins. Resonant also reported bookings in the first half of 2026 at more than three times the level recorded during the same period last year, with backlog more than doubling year-on-year.
The acquisition will bring together Resonant’s RF, sensing, mission systems and low-observability capabilities with Joby’s aircraft propulsion, hybrid-electric aircraft and autonomy technologies. The companies see opportunities to develop autonomous, software-defined defence systems combining Joby’s autonomy platform with Resonant’s RF sensing and signal-processing technologies.
Resonant operates approximately 105,000 sq ft of engineering, testing and manufacturing facilities in the Dayton area, with another 125,000-sq-ft facility under construction. Combined with Joby’s Ohio operations, the companies expect to create approximately one million sq ft of manufacturing, integration and testing capacity across the Dayton region.
The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2027, subject to regulatory and other customary closing conditions. Joby plans to fund the acquisition with approximately $450 million in cash and $50 million in Joby common stock.
