Aerospace

Airbus and MAI expand advanced air mobility partnership to provide global coverage

Airbus and Munich Airport International have expanded their global collaboration to develop Advanced Air Mobility solutions.

At the ILA Berlin Air Show, Berlin, Airbus, and Munich Airport International signed a Memorandum of Understanding to begin marketing turnkey solutions to cities and regions interested in developing advanced air mobility (AAM) ecosystems around the world.

Airbus is developing City Airbus NextGen, its electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, as well as key support and service offerings, while Munich Airport provides ground infrastructure services and solutions. “We are already collaborating with Airbus on the newly introduced Air Mobility Initiative in Munich – now we are expanding that partnership globally to support select cities and regions around the world,” said Ivonne Kuger, Executive VP Corporate Development MAI. “As Europe’s first 5-star airport, Munich Airport has always been at the forefront of innovation,” says Kuger, “and it is critical for airports to be actively involved in developing and paving the way for this new mode of transportation.”

“The progression of the market, industry, and ultimate service of AAM necessitates a holistic approach, which has been our approach from the beginning.” “In addition to decades of vehicle and technology development, certification, and support, we are actively building working ecosystems with our partners,” said Balkiz Sarihan, Head of UAM Partnerships and Strategy Execution at Airbus. “We are confident that our collaboration with Munich Airport will be a key catalyst for accelerating the development of AAM ecosystems worldwide.”

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Airbus has been an innovator in investigating how electric propulsion can aid in the development of new types of aerial vehicles. City Airbus NextGen, the company’s fully electric eVTOL prototype, will be unveiled in September 2021. Airbus is developing an AAM solution with eVTOL not only to provide a new mobility service, but also as an important step in the company’s overall effort to reduce emissions in aviation. The Air Mobility Initiative, a consortium of partners dedicated to the advancement of AAM in Bavaria and Germany, was recently launched by the company.

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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.