Aurora Careers

Intern Insights: Experiential Learning at Aurora Swiss Aerospace

Aurora Administrator — Wed, 07 Aug 2024 17:00:24 +0000

Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company, is committed to fostering the future of aerospace through our robust internship program, welcoming approximately 50 college students across our sites each year. These interns become integral members of our team, contributing to the cutting-edge aircraft and technologies we develop. Today, we hear directly from Markus Metzler, an engineering intern based at our Aurora Swiss Aerospace office in Lucerne, Switzerland. Markus is currently studying at ETH Zurich, a public research university in Switzerland.

Can you tell us about your overall experience as an intern at Aurora Swiss Aerospace?

During my internship, I had the privilege of working alongside highly skilled individuals who provided both professional guidance and personal support. I focused on stress analysis in aircraft development, an area that significantly contributed to my academic and career aspirations. This experience solidified my decision to pursue a master’s degree in aerospace engineering. Overall, my time at Aurora has been invaluable, and I recommend this internship to any student aspiring to enter the aerospace industry.

What support or guidance did you receive from your colleagues or supervisors?

From day one, I was welcomed into a supportive environment where collaboration and diverse perspectives were encouraged. My colleagues provided ample reading materials and mentorship, which significantly enhanced my problem-solving skills and understanding of potential challenges I might encounter.

How would you describe the company culture and work environment?

Aurora fosters inclusivity and collaboration both inside and outside the office. Engaging in activities like our office’s bi-weekly soccer matches not only enhanced my networking opportunities but also reinforced Aurora’s great work culture.

In what ways has Aurora contributed to your professional growth and development?

Working across multiple disciplines—from design to manufacturing—has broadened my understanding of aerospace systems and processes and has shown me all the work that goes into developing a prototype aircraft. Contributing to real-world programs has underscored the significance of my role and solidified my career aspirations within the aerospace industry.

How do you feel your skills and knowledge have developed during your time here?

There was a steep learning curve, particularly with Femap, a critical stress simulation software in used in the industry. With the continuous support of my colleagues and regular use of the software, I now confidently navigate its complexities in my daily tasks.

Can you share any memorable moments or highlights from your internship experience?

A significant highlight was successfully running my first analysis with Femap without any errors—an achievement early in my internship—proving I have overcome the learning curve I’d experienced in the beginning. Additionally, presenting my work at a customer design review was a proud moment, affirming Aurora’s trust in my contributions.

How do you think this internship has prepared you for your future career goals?

My internship at Aurora has provided significant insights into the aerospace industry, equipping me with practical, real-world knowledge. The network I’ve created and the experiences I’ve gained will be crucial as I continue my journey in the industry.

Markus’ journey exemplifies Aurora’s commitment to inspiring the next generation and advancing the future of flight through hands-on learning experiences. Learn more about our internship program here.

ABOUT AURORA FLIGHT SCIENCES

Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing Company, advances the future of flight by developing and applying innovations across aircraft configurations, autonomous systems, propulsion technologies, and manufacturing processes. With a passionate and agile team, Aurora delivers solutions to its customers’ toughest challenges while meeting high standards of safety and quality. Learn more at www.aurora.aero

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Contact:
communications@aurora.aero

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Flight Simulation Lab Enhances Research and Development Capabilities

Aurora Administrator — Wed, 10 Jul 2024 18:00:47 +0000

At Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company, bridging the gap between humans and autonomy is a fundamental aspect of our work to advance the future of flight. Through research and development (R&D), Aurora engineers create revolutionary technologies and follow a journey from innovative concept to next-generation application that involves careful testing and verification. The company’s flight simulation lab plays a vital role in the R&D process for humans and autonomy.

Located in our Cambridge, Massachusetts office, Aurora’s flight simulation lab is designed for applied research and prototype-stage development projects. This flexible tool allows Aurora engineers to subject new aircraft technologies to rigorous testing, thereby improving reliability, performance, and safety during the early stages of development.

A hub of innovation and engineering rigor, our flight simulation lab is a dedicated R&D space where teams focus on prototyping for understanding and improving human interactions through the flight deck. Key features of the lab include:

Rapid Prototyping: The lab supports simulation of a variety of aircraft configurations and enables rapid development and data gathering in a purpose-designed environment.
Reconfigurable: The lab can adapt to support research and development of various new flight deck hardware and software technologies. The lab leverages the interchangeable use of touch screen emulation alongside physical flight hardware and integrates with various sensors and data collection elements.
Open Lab Network: Collaboration is at the core of our innovation philosophy. The lab is an open space for experts from various disciplines to come together, share insights, and drive progress.

The lab has been used for a variety of R&D projects, including human factors studies which focus on understanding and improving human interactions throughout the flight deck. Our Pilot Cognitive Inference project uses the flight simulator in conjunction with a prototype cognitive-state estimation system. The use of noninvasive sensors, such as eye trackers and heart rate monitors, allows us to estimate a pilot’s workload and situational awareness. With this technology, Aurora engineers can provide insights into pilot cognition to enhance safety.

Learn more about Aurora’s R&D capabilities and the cutting-edge technologies teams are developing in autonomy, human-machine integration, and more here.

ABOUT AURORA FLIGHT SCIENCES

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Contact:
communications@aurora.aero

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Celebrating 35 Years: Aurora’s Journey Through Innovation

Aurora Administrator — Wed, 12 Jun 2024 18:00:54 +0000

As we mark our 35th anniversary at Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company, we reflect on the journey that brought us here. From our start in a small facility in Alexandria, Virginia to becoming a leading name in the aerospace industry, our story is one of perseverance, innovation, and a pursuit of excellence.

Founded in 1989, Aurora set out to redefine the boundaries of what was possible in autonomous flight. Our first remotely piloted aircraft, the Perseus Proof of Concept, took flight in 1991, marking a significant advancement in unmanned aerial systems technology. This achievement laid the foundation for many groundbreaking projects to come.

Over the years, we continued to innovate and expand our capabilities, taking on projects to design, build, test, and fly advanced aircraft and enabling technologies. As we look back on our journey, we are grateful for the partnerships, collaborations, and team members that have fueled our success, bringing new opportunities for growth and innovation.

Take an in-depth look at our history here

Today, our team continues to shape the future of flight by developing next-generation aircraft designs and leveraging cutting-edge manufacturing technology. Here’s to 35 years of innovation, excellence, and pushing the boundaries of what’s possible.

ABOUT AURORA FLIGHT SCIENCES

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Celebrating Women in Aerospace: Q&A with Aurora’s Chief Pilot Carrie Haase

Aurora Administrator — Wed, 06 Mar 2024 19:00:59 +0000

In celebration of Women’s History Month and International Women’s Day, we sat down with Aurora’s Chief Pilot Carrie Haase to learn more about her experience in the industry and advice she has for women in aerospace.

Carrie has been with Aurora for over 20 years and has held a variety of positions in program management, UAS system development, flight test, and flight operations. As chief pilot, Carrie has overseen such flight test programs as Aurora’s Personal Air Vehicle (PAV), Centaur, Small UAS programs, numerous surrogate testbed programs, and the Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration project.

What inspired you to pursue a career in aviation?

I grew up in Alaska, and flying was the easiest way to get around. I spent a lot of time on airplanes, and I was really immersed in idea that aviation can have a fundamental impact on everyday life by giving people the opportunity to connect. It opened up a lot of opportunities for adventure and exploration that aren’t possible without an airplane. I was fascinated with aviation, and knew I wanted to contribute to the industry.

What are some challenges you faced?

The aviation industry is not static – things change over time. And global events can have a major impact on the industry and create personal challenges in your career. I started out in the industry in 2001, and the industry changed drastically after September 11. The COVID-19 pandemic was another thing that altered the industry in a major way. Recognizing that there are cycles and spirals in every aspect of life and having the ability to adapt to these changes is key to driving forward in both your career and personal life.

How do you balance the demands of your role with your personal life?

Balancing professional and personal life is an ongoing process that evolves with time. There are phases both in your personal and professional life. At certain points, I deliberately chose roles that allowed me to prioritize my home life. As circumstances changed, I adapted, embracing more flexible work arrangements when my family became more self-sufficient. The key is understanding that decisions aren’t permanent, and flexibility is crucial in maintaining balance.

Any advice for women aspiring to leadership positions in demanding fields?

Embrace challenges without fear, as they often lead to growth. Building a robust support network is vital. Having mentors and colleagues in your professional life, along with a personal support system, is invaluable in navigating challenges. Seek guidance from those willing to support your career exploration and development.

How does diversity and inclusion positively impact the aerospace industry?

Diverse perspectives foster collaboration and innovation. Bringing together individuals with varied backgrounds results in unparalleled idea generation. Beyond the practical benefits, diversity broadens the talent pool, contributing to industry growth and progression.

Looking back, what advice would you give to your younger self?

Don’t be afraid of opportunities that sound challenging and be willing to consider doing things that may be outside of your wheelhouse. Sometimes the things you never really saw coming can lead to the most amazing experiences.

ABOUT AURORA FLIGHT SCIENCES

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Aurora Begins Building Full-Scale Active Flow Control X-Plane

Aurora Administrator — Wed, 03 Jan 2024 13:41:31 +0000

The X-plane, designated X-65, aims to demonstrate the benefits of active flow control at tactically relevant scale and flight conditions.

Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company, has begun manufacturing work on a new X-plane for the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency’s (DARPA) Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors (CRANE) program. This latest phase follows the successful completion of the critical design review (CDR) for the experimental aircraft, designated X-65.

X-65 is purpose-designed for testing and demonstrating active flow control (AFC) for multiple effects, including flight control at tactical speeds and performance enhancement across the flight envelope. The AFC system supplies pressurized air to fourteen AFC effectors embedded across all flying surfaces, including multiple wing sweeps. The aircraft is configured to be modular, featuring replaceable outboard wings and swappable AFC effectors, which allows for future testing of additional AFC designs.

Active flow control technology has the potential to replace traditional flaps and rudders, which are used to maneuver most aircraft today. AFC may deliver benefits in areas such as aerodynamics, weight, and mechanical complexity. X-65 is designed to demonstrate the benefits of AFC for both commercial and military applications.

Component tooling and part fabrication for the 30 ft wingspan, uncrewed X-plane are now underway at Aurora facilities in West Virginia and Mississippi. Plans include building the airframe at Aurora West Virginia, followed by system integration and ground testing at Aurora’s headquarters in Manassas, Virginia.

“As we move into the manufacturing phase, we are getting ever closer to fulfilling the goal of validating AFC technology and helping to open the design trade space for future applications,” said Kevin Uleck, CRANE program director at Aurora Flight Sciences. “X-65 has the potential to change the future of aircraft design. Aurora is honored to support DARPA on this groundbreaking program.”

The manufacturing phase of the program follows three years of work, across Aurora and Boeing, in design conceptualization, preliminary and detailed design, wind tunnel testing, AFC system testing, and more. The program would culminate in flight tests of the full-scale, 7000 lb. X-65 aircraft at speeds up to Mach 0.7. Flight testing is targeted for summer 2025.

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ABOUT AURORA FLIGHT SCIENCES

Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company, advances the future of flight by developing and applying innovations across aircraft configurations, autonomous systems, propulsion technologies, and manufacturing processes. With a passionate and agile team, Aurora delivers solutions to its customers’ toughest challenges while meeting high standards of safety and quality. Learn more at www.aurora.aero

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Contact:

Carmen Smith, Aurora Flight Sciences, A Boeing Company
smith.carmen@aurora.aero

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Aurora Employees Unite Through Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Initiatives

Aurora Administrator — Mon, 11 Dec 2023 19:00:16 +0000

Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company, strives to create a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Embracing diverse backgrounds, perspectives, and experiences not only enriches our work environment but also drives innovation, creativity, and success. As part of our commitment to DEI, Aurora has several employee resource groups (ERGs) that celebrate diversity and offer platforms for employees to connect, share experiences, and create a supportive network that fosters professional and personal growth.

Aurora’s eight ERGs (two newly added this year) are local, employee-run chapters of similar employee resource groups at Boeing. Throughout 2023, these groups led a variety of events and brought employees together through community engagement, professional development, and DEI initiatives. Learn more about these ERGs and see a snapshot of this year’s activities below.

Boeing Asian Professional Association (BAPA)

Our chapter of BAPA is focused on highlighting the diverse cultures within Asian communities through interactive presentations, culinary exploration, and outreach opportunities. This year’s top events included a lunch-and-learn event discussing mental health issues in the Asian community; a “Japan snack attack,” which gave employees a taste of Asian food and culture; and a lunch and Diya decorating activity in celebration of Diwali.

Boeing Black Employees Association (BBEA)

Aurora’s BBEA chapter envisions a workforce at all levels that is reflective of the communities where we live and work. To realize this vision, members of BBEA cultivate an environment that promotes awareness and inclusion of the Black community through four pillars: talent engagement, professional development, business alignment, and community involvement.

Highlights of BBEA’s activities this year included recruiting at the National Society of Black Engineers (NSBE) convention, sponsoring a company-wide celebration for Juneteenth, spearheading the company’s back-to-school backpack drive in September, and hosting middle school students on-site to celebrate National STEM Day.

Boeing Employee Accessibility and Advocacy Association (BEAAA)

BEAAA’s mission is to engender and serve the community of persons with disabilities through inclusivity and support. The group raises awareness across the company to promote ability diversity consistent with Aurora’s values and business objectives.

This year, BEAAA celebrated the 33^rd anniversary of the American Disability Act (ADA) by hosting a lunch-and-learn event available to all employees. The group also held a watch party of the movie Crip Camp to highlight the life and contributions of disability activist Judy Heumann. On December 6, BEAAA will commemorate the International Day of Persons with Disabilities by hosting a panel discussion titled “Lessons of the Jianjian.”

Boeing Employees Pride Alliance (BEPA)

At Aurora, BEPA’s mission is to provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment where LGBTQ+ employees are accepted, respected, and acknowledged for their contributions and empowered to reach their potential. Employees motivate, mentor, and coach each other in both personal and professional development.

This year, BEPA sponsored a number of activities across Aurora sites, including a guest speaker and drag performance for National Coming Out Day; a variety of educational outreach events; and attendance at several Pride Month activities both in the U.S. and at our Aurora Swiss Aerospace office.

Boeing Familia

Our Boeing Familia ERG is dedicated driving excellence in multicultural leadership by inspiring, developing, and connecting those of Hispanic/Latino descent through collaboration and community. This year, Familia hosted a company-wide celebration for Hispanic Heritage Month, sponsored a “guac-off” culinary competition, organized tours of the National Air and Space Museum to promote cultural awareness, and hosted a robotics showcase for high school students local to Aurora’s headquarters in Virgnia.

Boeing Generation to Generation (BG2G)

BG2G is a new ERG at Aurora, and while specific events are still in the planning stage, the group’s vision and mission are clear. BG2G aims to become a generationally inclusive network that seeks out diverse perspectives from all ages and creates a lasting legacy. BG2G leverages the strengths and insights from employees of all generations to drive leadership, knowledge sharing, and innovation. In October, BG2G kickstarted their employee engagement by joining with Aurora’s chapter of Boeing Women Inspiring Leadership (BWIL) to promote Breast Cancer and Domestic Violence Awareness Months with events at every Aurora site.

Boeing Veteran Engagement Team (BVET)

Aurora’s Boeing Veteran Engagement Team (BVET) is dedicated to serving and honoring all veterans, current service members, and military families. The group connects veterans across the enterprise and provides essential resources, mentorship and support for veterans and their families.

BVET activities this year included a family baseball game at Mississippi State University; a golf scramble where more than 100 employees had the opportunity to learn more about Veteran awareness activities; and a back-to-school backpack drive where employees donated school supplies for local schools. BVET also sponsors a site-wide Veterans Day ceremony every year to honor all veterans.

Boeing Women in Leadership (BWIL)

BWIL’s goal is to provide avenues for networking, personal and professional development, mentoring, coaching, community involvement, and leadership opportunities to develop a strong network of women as future leaders at Aurora.

This year, BWIL held the fifth and largest iteration of our mentorship program, matching 140 employees for mentor/mentee relationships. On International Women’s Day, the group hosted a virtual panel that gathered executives and leaders to discuss operationalizing diversity at every level. BWIL has also participated in site tours of Aurora facilities and the Udvar Hazy Air and Space Museum to promote industry awareness and science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) education.

Aurora’s ERGs promote diversity, equity, and inclusion across the company by facilitating a wide range of events and initiatives that celebrate our differences and unite us as a strong, inclusive community. We are committed to fostering a sense of belonging among all employees, and ERGs play a crucial role in making that commitment a reality. We look forward to continued collaboration and growth as we work to create a more diverse, equitable, and inclusive future at Aurora.

ABOUT AURORA FLIGHT SCIENCES

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communications@aurora.aero

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Aurora Flight Sciences To Design High-Speed, Vertical Lift X-Plane

Aurora Administrator — Wed, 15 Nov 2023 13:34:34 +0000

Program leverages over 30 years of investment in novel VTOL and blended wing body platforms.

Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing Company, has been selected for phase 1 of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) SPeed and Runway INdependent Technologies (SPRINT) X-Plane Demonstration Project. This project aims to design, build, and fly an X-Plane to demonstrate technologies and integrated concepts necessary for a transformational combination of aircraft speed and runway independence. This initial award funds work to reach a conceptual design review and includes an executable option to continue work through preliminary design review.

Under this award, Aurora is designing a high lift, low drag fan-in-wing (FIW) demonstrator aircraft that integrates a blended wing body platform, with embedded engines and moderate sweep, with a vertical flight design comprised of embedded lift fans linked to the engines via mechanical drives. The aircraft would deliver game-changing air mobility capability by combining cruise at over 450 KTAS with vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) in a single platform.

The combined Aurora and Boeing team brings deep experience in agile vehicle prototyping, vertical lift and cruise transition technology, and blended wing body aero performance. The program will build on past flight programs like the Boeing X-48 blended wing body aircraft and the Aurora Excalibur UAS that combined jet-borne vertical lift with three electric, louvered lift fans that would retract into the wing in forward flight.

“Aurora and Boeing are excited to work with DARPA to develop this revolutionary capability,” said Larry Wirsing, vice president of Aircraft Development Programs at Aurora Flight Sciences. “This X-plane will demonstrate that a high-speed, vertical lift, blended wing body aircraft will provide superior flexibility and operational performance to the military in the future.”

Design work will take place at Aurora and Boeing facilities across multiple states including Virginia, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania. The program is targeting first flight of the X-Plane demonstrator within 42 months.

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The Sky’s the Limit: Inspiring Tomorrow’s Innovators through STEM Education

Aurora Administrator — Mon, 16 Oct 2023 18:00:22 +0000

At Aurora, we understand that fostering young minds and nurturing their interest in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) is critical to the advancement of the aerospace industry. From space exploration to sustainable energy solutions to cutting-edge technology, STEM fields drive innovation to create a better tomorrow. This year, Aurora and our employees supported several student-focused, STEM-based events. Some of these events are highlighted below.

The America Rocketry Challenge (ARC)

In May, employees based out of our Manassas, Virginia facility volunteered their time to support the America Rocketry Challenge (ARC). ARC, the world’s largest rocket contest, gives middle and high school students the opportunity to design, build, and launch model rockets and provides hands-on experience solving engineering problems. In addition to supporting the competition, Aurora hosted over 100 students and coaches at our headquarters to learn more about what we do and get an inside look at our facilities and experimental aircraft.

For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) High School Robotics Teams

The For Inspiration and Recognition of Science and Technology (FIRST) high school robotics teams are teams of young engineers and innovators who will drive the future of technological advancement. Aurora engineers currently support 13 of teams in 5 states, offering mentorship and sharing their expertise to help each team excel in competitions. By doing so, we not only encourage innovation but also contribute to the development of critical problem-solving skills.

Robotics Education and Competition Foundation’s Aerial Drone Dragonfly Championship

Our support for the Robotics Education and Competition Foundation’s (REC) Aerial Drone Dragonfly Championship in West Virginia allows students to explore flight principles, programming, and engineering while promoting the understanding of STEM-related fields. This year, through our contribution to the Fairmont Foundation, Aurora supported five teams of underrepresented students with a goal to build diverse representation in the future STEM workforce. For this year’s Mission 2023: Blackout competition, teams built their own drones and had the opportunity to write their own code for the autonomous flight skills portion of the competition. Employees also volunteered their time to support the event and answer questions from students.

Virginia Tech Innovation Campus Drone Summer Camp

This summer, our Virginia facility hosted a local drone and aviation program sponsored and coordinated by the Virginia Tech Innovation Campus. The program provides hands-on experience and expert guidance, fostering a love for aviation and drone technology. The students participated in a hands-on drone demonstration, heard from Aurora leadership, toured our facility, and got a close-up look at some of our aircraft.

Carl Hopkins Youth Aviation Expo

In August, Aurora employees participated in the 3rd annual Carl Hopkins Youth Aviation Expo at The Bridge Sports Complex in Bridgeport, West Virginia. The goal of the annual event is to introduce West Virginia students to the growing aerospace industry in north central West Virginia and pique their interest in pursuing a career in the field. The expo offers students opportunities to learn about flight for basic airplanes, radio-controlled aircraft, drones, and rockets. Aurora has participated in the event every year since its inauguration, and several employees volunteered again this year. More than 400 youth and just under 300 adults attended.

MSU Advanced Composites Institute Camp

Composite materials are a crucial aspect of aerospace engineering and manufacturing. Mississippi State University’s Advanced Composites Institute (ACI) summer camp aims to provide students with a foundation in composite and additive manufacturing techniques. This summer, Aurora hosted a tour for Camp ACI at our Mississippi manufacturing facility. By offering insights into composites, we are working to inspire the next generation of aerospace engineers and manufacturing technicians who will contribute to making aircraft lighter, stronger, and more efficient.

Girls in Aviation Day

In September, our West Virginia facility partnered with Women in Aviation International and the Mid-Atlantic Aerospace Complex to host the second annual Girls in Aviation Day at the North Central West Virginia Airport. More than 100 girls and their families participated in the aviation fair where they had the opportunity to try their hand at flight simulators, fly drones, and participate in hands-on aviation-related activities. Aurora employees volunteered their time to help girls build a rubber band-powered helicopter and craft a keychain made of ‘propeller’ beads.

Through our involvement in these and many other STEM-based activities and events, we hope to inspire and educate young minds, paving the way for a brighter, more innovative future.

ABOUT AURORA FLIGHT SCIENCES

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Connecting Simulation and Flight Test for Efficient Technology Development

Aurora Administrator — Mon, 11 Sep 2023 17:23:30 +0000

Recently, Aurora demonstrated two important parts of an effective and cost-efficient development process for autonomous behaviors and other new aircraft technologies: hardware-in-the-loop simulation and flight testing with a safety pilot.

Aurora’s hardware-in-the-loop simulator (HILSIM) enables testing of autonomous behaviors and other new technologies using exactly the same hardware and people as in a live flight test. Technologies can be tested in a low-cost but highly relevant simulation environment to discover potential issues and make refinements prior to testing in flight.

In this case, Aurora was demonstrating autonomous behaviors: take-off, waypoint navigation, and landing. In the past, Aurora has also used the HILSIM to test new hardware, like mission computers and helmet displays, as well as for other pre-flight testing in autonomy, such as detect and avoid and clear landing area identification.

For both its HILSIM and flight test, Aurora used a 1970’s UH-1H military helicopter. The HILSIM adds a computer server simulating the aircraft dynamics, which connects directly to the UH-1H, and digital displays showing the simulated flight environment. In this case, we have chosen to show a pilot view and a chase view. The simulation can even model terrain from the actual take-off and landing areas.

The mission command control utility (MCCU) is in the rear passenger area of the UH-1H, and it is used to load and initiate the mission for either the simulation or the real flight. The MCCU provides insight to the autonomous system’s view and decision-making process. It offers 3D and 2D mapping of the mission path, as well as no-fly zones, safe air volumes, and more. In the cockpit, the pilot display includes the aircraft attitude indicator (pitch and roll), speed, heading, altitude, and flight path guidance. While running a simulation, the flight controls move but the rotors do not spin.

After several successful runs in the HILSIM, the team is ready for flight test. The aircraft, pilot, engineer, and autonomy are exactly as they were during simulation. The simulation computer server is disconnected, and the aircraft is prepped for flight.

After completing a pre-flight checklist, the pilot engages the auto-pilot system, and the engineer launches the mission from the MCCU, just as they did during simulation, only this time the UH-1 takes-off and routes to its assigned destination. The on-board safety pilot does not touch the controls but keeps his hands close so that he can immediately take over if necessary.

Testing autonomous behaviors using standard aircraft and an on-board safety pilot is another way to minimize costs. The development team can avoid the expenses and logistical challenges of testing in closed airspace or a dedicated facility. Centaur, Aurora’s optionally piloted aircraft, offers similar capability to test autonomous behaviors in the national airspace with an on-board safety pilot.

Testing is critical to the development of any new product or technology. Because Aurora uses easily accessible, cost-efficient methods for simulation and flight testing, the company can execute the kind of rapid develop-test cycles that fuel successful development.

ABOUT AURORA FLIGHT SCIENCES

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Boeing and Aurora Flight Sciences partner to bolster refueling innovation

Aurora Administrator — Tue, 20 Jun 2023 12:01:19 +0000

Boeing’s KC-46A Pegasus and MQ-25™ Stingray™ technology continues to evolve in Mississippi’s nexus of innovation

As the joint force continues to push the mission envelope for increased global reach and survivability of its mobility platforms, Boeing and Aurora Flight Sciences—a Boeing company known for novel aircraft configurations, systems and technologies—have been applying their mutual resources and expertise to continue evolving next-generation aerial refueling mission capabilities.

Boeing’s KC-46A Pegasus and MQ-25™ Stingray™ are already redefining the aerial refueling mission with unprecedented technological capabilities, as well as production and mission systems that continue evolving to deliver current and future mobility mission needs ahead of peer threats.

Aurora Mississippi’s team creates the MQ-25™ Stingray™ skins using advanced manufacturing processes that improve mission capabilities for the joint force.

Boeing and Aurora are investing to further advance innovative mission solutions for these and future mobility platforms.

Manufacturing the future at Aurora Mississippi

Aurora’s facility in Columbus, Mississippi exemplifies how Boeing and Aurora are driving the future of these next-generation aerial refueling systems with cutting-edge design and manufacturing expertise.

Located in Columbus– only 15 miles east of Mississippi State University in Starkville – Aurora Mississippi manufactures composite skins for the MQ-25 Stingray.

“The MQ-25 composite skins are lightweight, resilient, strong and tailor-designed to perform their function to perfection,” production engineering manager Jake Waldrep said. The lightweight strengthening and anti-corrosive benefits of skins are ideal for the carrier-based refueling aircraft, allowing it to efficiently extend both its missions and its lifecycle.

The MQ-25™ Stringray™ is the world’s first autonomous aerial refueler, with aerodynamic design, open mission software systems and seamless carrier deck integration to further extend the range of the aerial refueling mission. (Boeing photo)

Developing and delivering advanced capabilities that benefit service members means a great deal to Aurora’s Columbus-based employees, including U.S. Army veteran Jackson Walters.

“What we’re doing here is improving the life and the mission set of the women and men who are up front,” said Walters, who works as a quality inspector.

Innovating to further enhance survivability

Boeing and Aurora recently announced further investment focused on developing advanced defensive systems and countermeasures for application on next-generation refueling and mobility platforms, including the KC-46A Pegasus.

“The KC-46A already features defensive systems that are unprecedented in a tanker,” said Justin Hatcher, advanced technology director for Boeing’s KC-46 Program. “We continue to evolve the KC-46A and other next-generation refueling and mobility platforms to further enhance mission versatility and survivability for joint force mission advantage far into the future.”

The combat-proven KC-46A is the world’s most advanced multi-mission aerial refueler, delivering fuel and data to the fleet, as well as cargo, personnel and aeromedical transportation capabilities for rapid global mobility. (John Parker/Boeing photo)

Aurora is leading the initial research and conceptual design of composite components to enhance operational survivability for aerial refueling and mobility missions. This work will also focus on producibility and manufacturing at Aurora Mississippi.

Fostering Mississippi’s nexus of aerospace innovation

“I think it really changes the perspective of what people think of Mississippi,” said composite technician Theodoric James – now in his 14^th year with the company – on the industry-leading work being done at Aurora Mississippi.

“To be able to support the advanced technology that we’re doing here at Aurora is something I never thought I’d get to be a part of,” said production control manager Amanda Tucker, who grew up on a cotton farm about 30 miles north.

Production control manager Amanda Tucker and composite technician Theodoric James attended Mississippi State University and East Mississippi Community College, respectively. Aurora Mississippi has partnered with both schools to strengthen advanced manufacturing research, higher education and workforce development in the region.

Aurora is a key partner in Mississippi’s nexus of composites and advanced manufacturing research, higher education and workforce development. This group includes Mississippi State University – with its MSU Advanced Composites Institute – and East Mississippi Community College’s satellite campus, The Communiversity, which serves as the hub for the college’s workforce programs and primary location for training in fields related to advanced manufacturing.

Aurora leverages both MSU and EMCC—alma maters to Tucker and James, respectively—for recruitment and employee training. Aurora also contributes to EMCC’s composite training course and Camp AMP, a summer K-12 STEM camp.

These connections make the Aurora Mississippi facility primed for growth to support future work, according to Luke Colville, Aurora’s vice president of manufacturing and aerosystems.

“With our research and development expertise, the composites production talent at Aurora Mississippi and our collaboration with Boeing,” Colville explained, “we’re building the future of next-generation refueling and mobility capabilities and growing the team to deliver them.”

PRESS RELEASE: Boeing invests in KC-46A enhanced defensive capabilities

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