TLDR
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Joby Aviation agrees to buy Resonant Sciences in a $500 million defense deal.
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Resonant adds over $100 million in revenue and strengthens Joby’s defense unit.
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JOBY stock drops 4.98% premarket after ending regular trading 1.97% higher at $8.81.
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The deal adds classified infrastructure, RF systems, and defense contracts.
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Joby expects the Resonant Sciences acquisition to close in the first half of 2027.
Joby Aviation stock fell in pre-market trading after the company announced a major expansion into defense technology. JOBY traded at $8.39, down 4.98%, after closing at $8.81 with a 1.97% gain. Meanwhile, the company agreed to acquire Resonant Sciences for approximately $500 million.
Joby Aviation Expands Defense Business Through Resonant Deal
The acquisition will add an established defense technology business to Joby Aviation’s broader aerospace operations. Resonant Sciences supports active United States national security programs and operates a profitable defense business. Joby gains immediate access to classified infrastructure, production facilities, technical teams, and government relationships.
Resonant will become Joby’s dedicated defense business after the transaction receives required approvals. The company will retain the Resonant Sciences name under current chief executive J. Micah North. Joby will also move its existing defense projects into the newly expanded business unit.
Those projects include turbine-electric aircraft, hydrogen-electric systems, and autonomy technology designed for dual-use applications. Joby’s commercial aviation division will continue focusing on electric air taxi certification and production. The structure separates defense development from Joby’s core commercial aviation program while expanding both operations.
Resonant Sciences Adds Revenue and Defense Technology
Resonant Sciences employs about 250 workers and develops advanced radio frequency systems for national security customers. The company also produces sensing equipment, communications systems, electronic countermeasures, and autonomous technologies. Its products support government agencies and major defense contractors across several active programs.
Revenue increased about 40% year over year and exceeded $100 million during the last twelve months. Resonant also reported high-teens adjusted EBITDA margins during recent periods. Management expects stronger margins as production volumes rise across newly awarded defense programs.
Bookings during the first half of 2026 exceeded three times the level recorded one year earlier. At the same time, Resonant’s backlog more than doubled compared with the previous year. These figures give Joby an established revenue base as it expands its defense technology strategy.
Joby Builds Larger Manufacturing and Defense Platform
Resonant operates about 105,000 square feet of engineering and manufacturing space across seven buildings near Dayton, Ohio. The company is also building another 125,000-square-foot facility to expand testing, composites, machining, and production capacity. Additionally, Resonant operates facilities across Virginia, West Virginia, Michigan, Colorado, and North Carolina.
Joby already controls about 768,000 square feet of facilities in Ohio. Combined operations will provide roughly one million square feet of manufacturing and testing capacity around Dayton. That footprint could support larger defense programs while expanding Joby’s aerospace manufacturing capabilities.
Joby expects to pay about $450 million in cash and $50 million through common stock. The transaction should close during the first half of 2027, subject to regulatory reviews and customary conditions. Until then, JOBY shares remain below their latest close following the initial pre-market reaction.
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