Aurora Flight Sciences

06/02/2026

We're proud to support a major milestone in naval aviation.

On April 25, the U.S. Navy’s first carrier‑based unmanned aerial refueler, the MQ‑25A Stingray™, completed its historic first flight. Our team played a key role by delivering advanced composite structures and contributing critical software and autonomy expertise.

Our teams across Mississippi and West Virginia produced 145 components for the MQ‑25A flight test aircraft, part of more than 1,100 parts we’ve delivered across the program. Working alongside Boeing, our engineers in Virginia also advanced flight software and GNC systems to ensure safe, reliable operations in dynamic conditions.

Read the full story here: https://www.aurora.aero/2026/06/02/composites-and-code-aurora-backs-mq-25a-first-flight/

From manufacturing tough parts to developing smart software, Aurora Flight Sciences is proud to support the MQ-25A Stingray™. On April 25th, the U.S. Navy’s first MQ-25A Stingray™, an unmanned aerial refueler, successfully completed its first flight. Boeing subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences pl...

05/28/2026

Aurora designed and built the 150‑foot‑span wing for Boeing’s hydrogen‑powered high‑altitude long‑endurance (HALE) demonstrator, Phantom Eye.

This unique aircraft completed its first flight on June 1, 2012, at Edwards Air Force Base, marking an important milestone in the development of hydrogen‑powered, long‑duration flight.

Aurora is proud to support innovative programs that push boundaries and advance the future of flight.

05/26/2026

At Aurora, our manufacturing teams support programs from early prototyping through full‑rate production. Across our sites, we use digital engineering, advanced composites, precision machining, and automation to build high‑quality aerospace components and integrated systems.

We work across defense, space, and commercial aviation markets, giving us the experience to adapt processes, meet varied requirements, and support a wide range of mission needs.

Learn more about our manufacturing capabilities and how we support our customers’ missions:
https://www.aurora.aero/manufacturing/

05/21/2026

"Aurora truly values its employees. I know my voice is heard, and I get to work alongside so many great people," said Sean Eddy, a composite technician at our West Virginia facility. "I enjoy working with my hands and building things while focusing on quality and efficiency. My role at Aurora brings all of those things together."

Sean attended Fairmont State College and has been with Aurora for over three years. He works in the clean room, building composite parts for several of our programs. His role requires attention to detail, craftsmanship, and close collaboration with teammates across the production floor.

"What I like most is seeing the results of our work come together," he shared. "Knowing that what we build contributes to something larger is really rewarding."

Outside of work, Sean enjoys spending time outdoors. You can often find him camping, fishing, or tending to his garden.

05/19/2026

On May 24, 1996, our twin-engine Theseus robotic aircraft completed its first flight at NASA's Dryden Flight Research Center in Edwards, CA.

The aircraft was a larger, more powerful derivative of Perseus B, designed to carry a heavy scientific payloads into the upper stratosphere to support NASA's high-altitude research missions. Theseus also marked a major technological step forward as the first Aurora aircraft to feature a fully composite fuselage.

05/14/2026

We are excited to host four interns from the DoW SkillBridge program, which supports active-duty service members as they transition into civilian careers.

Since joining the program in 2024, Aurora has welcomed 10 interns, and each one of them has successfully moved into strong civilian roles. Through hands-on experience and skill-building opportunities, our interns explore career paths while contributing directly to our mission.

"The transition from military to civilian life can be incredibly stressful on military members and their families," said Adam Selmon, Aurora's DoW SkillBridge program manager. "Many service members are looking for an opportunity to prepare for the next chapter in their lives. I truly appreciate the fact that the Aurora team can be that opportunity for these service members and make a positive impact on their lives.”

Thank you to our employees for your mentorship and to our SkillBridge interns for your service and the value you bring to Aurora.

05/12/2026

For more than 35 years, we've been at the forefront of next generation flight technologies, pioneering autonomous flight systems and developing the testing capabilities needed to turn innovative, vertical-lift aircraft into reality.

Our teams have taken on a wide range of challenges, from ducted‑fan aircraft to electric VTOL concepts and autonomy‑enabled cargo missions. Each effort has added new insights into how advanced flight systems can be designed, tested, and matured.

Learn more about our history of pushing the boundaries in vertical flight:

Decades of VTOL research, autonomous systems development, and integrated testing continue to support the maturation of next‑generation vertical‑flight technologies. Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing company, supports customers developing next‑generation vertical flight systems. With more than 3...

05/07/2026

“I love working at Aurora because of its supportive culture, innovative work, recognition of employees’ contributions, and the flexibility for real work-life balance,” said Jeanne Pushis, executive assistant at Aurora’s Mississippi facility.

Jeanne has been part of the Aurora team for seven years and attended Indiana University, majoring in Business Administration. In her role, she supports executive leadership and coordinates key events, including monthly Program Management Reviews and off-site team gatherings. She also leads Aurora’s manufacturing uniform program, designing quarterly shirts for employees across our manufacturing sites, a responsibility she’s particularly proud of.

“These shirts do more than meet a uniform requirement,” said Jeanne. “We connect them to meaningful causes, like this quarter’s green shirt for Mental Health Awareness Month, to help build connection and support those around us.”

05/05/2026

Building the X-65 aircraft is a masterclass in precision and coordination.

Our team works within a customizable platform adjusted to match the contours of the fuselage. This platform gives us simultaneous, bi level access to critical areas like the avionics power bay below and the APU bay above. To help ensure safety and quality, we’ve integrated protective measures such as a silver FOD capture blanket in the upper section to prevent foreign object contamination during installation tasks.

Every step of the build is part of a carefully planned sequence. The placement of each component is timed, considering the access and installation of surrounding parts. Wiring harnesses are routed across multiple sections of the aircraft with exacting attention to detail.

Innovation and teamwork are driving this program forward. Together with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency - DARPA on the Control of Revolutionary Aircraft with Novel Effectors (CRANE) program, we’re building the X-65, an experimental aircraft to demonstrate the transformative benefits of active flow control.

04/30/2026

Last week, we were thrilled to welcome employees' children and relatives to our facilities in Virginia and West Virginia for Take Your Child to Work Day.

Kids spent the day exploring hands-on STEM activities, including creating and testing safe-stop robots, building small structures and paper airplanes to test in a 3D printed wind tunnel, and discovering how science and engineering come together in the real world. They also toured our facilities, getting a behind-the-scenes look at cutting-edge aircraft being built. ✈️

A huge thank you to all of the volunteers and employees who made this day possible. Creating opportunities for the next generations to learn, explore, and imagine their future is something we're proud to support.