Aerospace

Boeing Awarded U.S. Army Contract for Next Generation Diagnostic Tool

* Next Generation Automated Test System (NGATS) provides mobile diagnostic testing.

* Units exceed expectations in Fix-Forward isolation, detection, saving over $26 million in five months for one Armored Brigade Combat Team.

With a deal worth up to $92 million over three years, the U.S. Army has chosen Boeing to manufacture additional Next Generation Automated Test System (NGATS) units. NGATS is a single, portable diagnostic tool that conducts in-field tests in real-time.

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NGATS provides immediate solutions, enabling automated fault diagnosis of more than 100 components. NGATS eliminates manual troubleshooting and disassembly of components which reduce labor hours. NGATS aids in avoiding lead times that come with ordering parts and possible depot-level maintenance. One Armored Brigade Combat Team noted NGATS saved more than $26 million in repair costs in five months.

“This award demonstrates that NGATS is becoming the standard for fix effectiveness and readiness in the field, enabling operations in a contested logistics environment,” John Chicoli, director of Boeing Global Services, Vertical Lift and Special Operations, said.

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In addition to Army platforms such as the M1A2 SEP V2/V3/V4, M1A1 Abrams tank, M2A3 Bradley, and M1126 Stryker vehicles, these versatile units will be used in 2023 on M109A7 Paladin and the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters. A similar test program set is being developed by Boeing to address no evidence of failure issues while maintaining readiness on the AH-64 Apache.

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.