DiamondStream Partners

Most the the new financial capital deployed into civilian sector #aviation and #aerospace in the last few years went to small aircraft or sustainable aviation fuels (#SAF). At the same, financial investors deployed little money into new technology for #aircraft and #propulsion systems above 100 seats. To hit commercial aviation's Net Zero 2050 goals the world needs policies that accelerate aerospace innovation. I explore these issues in my latest piece in #Forbes. Many thanks the Jerry Griffin, Pasha Saleh, Matthew Ridley and Kevin Noertker for their help in putting this analysis together. https://lnkd.in/gRJkYX6s

Blended wing body aircraft development gains momentum as more competitors emerge. #bwb #aerospace #aviation https://lnkd.in/gB8uDfWt

Nice step forward for #drone inspection of #aircraft by Delta and Mainblades. Better safety and improved productivity. Gotta love it. Dejan Borota John Mathis #airlines #aerospace https://lnkd.in/gHdxFJes

The automakers have gone all in on #UAM. Curious how they much they perceive these aircraft to be substitutes vs. complements to automobiles. They have certainly solidified the liquidity of positions of Archer and now Joby. #aerospace #evtol https://lnkd.in/dEjwRrGq

Remarkable #drone production statistics from Ukraine. They may finish the war as the world's leader drone manufacturer. This could have major implications for the world's #aerospace industry over time. https://lnkd.in/d7w-54Ue.

Many thanks to everyone who attended the #Aviation and #Aerospace Happy Hour on Wednesday and to our co-hosts David Merrill from #Elroy and Nick Matcheck from #Supernal. As you can see from the below -- aerospace executives know how to get their hands dirty doing real stuff!

#Ampaire and hybrid-electric propulsion featured in the #WSJ. https://lnkd.in/gu-8bHKF

Good piece in FastCompany on Alaska Airlines investment in #BWB. #aviation #aerospace #airlines https://lnkd.in/enMgG3EY

#CommercialAviation, which typically flies aircraft with over 100 seats, represents more than 80% of revenue seat miles flown and emissions generated in the aviation sector. However, we haven't seen much investment in breakthrough approaches for more the larger #aircraft that serve these operations. Investors have made big bets in breakthrough #aerospace technologies for smaller aircraft (e.g. #eVTOLS, #eSTOL and #hydrogen themes), which address less than 16% of aviation emissions and less than 10% of current aircraft. #SAF investments can help commercial #aviation move forward with #sustainability goals, but SAF is likely to cost 2-3X as much as JetA, which will create significant demand destruction and financing issues for airlines. #Boeing and #Airbus have explored breakthrough technologies for commercial aviation that would increase aircraft efficiency beyond what traditional tube and wing aircraft can achieve -- Boeing's X66 Truss Braced Wing concept for example. However, the only programs currently planned -- next generation tube and wing #aircraft -- will deliver gains that fall far short of the industry's needs to achieve its sustainability goals. The #BWB concepts in progress, of which JetZero is the most advanced, can help fill this gap in product development and sustainability for the most important part of the #airline business by cutting fuel consumption per RPM by 30-50%. SAF will continue to play an important role, which BWB concepts will accelerate by eliminating the trillions of dollars of incremental cost that would have put a primarily SAF based solution under immense pressure. In the end, the fuel savings tied to new equipment will help the industry achieve its sustainability goals while reducing costs and accelerating industry growth. That makes for a healthier industry going forward. Alaska Airlines has a strong history of pragmatic thought leadership in the aviation industry. With this investment they have led the industry towards an attractive future where a robust, profitable industry and sustainability have become mutually reinforcing goals that build on the industry's legacy as the world's most fuel efficient. large scale transportation system. Many investors focused in sustainability have not had the right combination of vision and pragmatism to take this type of step. Congrats to Alaska Airlines and JetZero on moving us in the right direction. https://lnkd.in/evYUCwbx