Aerospace

RAF A400M flies 22 Hours nonstop from the United Kingdom to Guam

A Royal Air Force Brize Norton A400M Atlas aircraft flew the longest flight ever by this aircraft type to kick off the RAF deployment for Exercise Mobility Guardian 23.

On July 3, the Atlas took off from RAF Brize Norton and traveled 22 hours nonstop to Guam while receiving three refueling breaks along the way—once over the Atlantic, once over Alaska, and finally over the Pacific Ocean. The Atlas flew through the Arctic ice cap and passed nearer to the North Pole than any other aircraft of this type had ever done before during the course of the mission.

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A Voyager from 10/101 Sqn flying from the UK completed the first refuelling, and a second Voyager operating from the US Air Force‘s Eielson Airbase in Alaska completed the second and third refuelings. The Atlas will join the exercise upon its arrival in Guam, along with an RAF Voyager, members of the Tactical Medical Wing, and other supporting staff from around the RAF. The RAF detachment will be joined by aircraft and people from Australia, Canada, France, Japan, and New Zealand in addition to the US aircraft participating in Mobility Guardian.

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The exercise is the most recent illustration of the value the UK places on this area, and it spans from Northern Australia to Japan and then across the Pacific to Hawaii. The exercise’s goal is for the participating nations to advance their knowledge and abilities in interoperability, enabling them to deliver air power when necessary and get around the idea of “The Tyranny of Distance.”

Aerospace

Boeing’s Aurora Flight Sciences Expands Columbus Plant by 50,000 Sqft

Credit:Aurora Flight Sciences

Aurora Flight Sciences, a subsidiary of Boeing, has launched a significant expansion of its manufacturing facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, Mississippi.

This ambitious project will add 50,000 square feet of new space, renovate 40,000 square feet of the existing facility, and introduce advanced automation equipment, robotics, and non-destructive inspection technologies. mcas boeing enhancements will support the growing demand for Aurora’s aerospace systems business.

Since its establishment, Aurora Mississippi has specialized in the production of advanced composite components and assemblies for both military and commercial aircraft. The company first opened in 2005 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory in Starkville before relocating to its current site in Columbus two years later.

Initially occupying 21,000 square feet, the facility has since grown to encompass over 120,000 square feet, featuring cutting-edge manufacturing technologies such as automated fiber placement. Aurora’s latest expansion is a strategic investment aimed at increasing production capacity for composite components like boeing titanium used in executive jets and the MQ-25TM Stingray composite skins, a key project for its parent company, Boeing.

Additionally, the facility will produce components for NASA’s X-66 sustainable flight demonstrator aircraft, further diversifying its portfolio. Currently employing around 100 full-time staff in Mississippi, Aurora plans to hire more than 60 additional team members by the end of 2025.

Aurora’s expansion project underscores its commitment to Mississippi’s growing aerospace and advanced manufacturing sector. The company maintains strong partnerships with Mississippi State University (MSU) and East Mississippi Community College (EMCC), contributing to research, higher education, and workforce development in advanced manufacturing.

Additionally, Aurora actively supports local K-12 STEM education through summer camps and collaborates with high school vocational education programs. The expansion and renovation project will be carried out in phases over the next two years, with completion expected by 2026. This development marks a significant milestone in Aurora’s ongoing growth and its role in advancing aerospace manufacturing in Mississippi.