Aerospace

China’s TP500 freight drone makes its maiden flight.

According to Chinese media, The TP 500 cargo unmanned aerial vehicle has flown for the first time in China. The First Aviation Institute-developed device took off early in the morning and flew for 27 minutes. The first flight was deemed successful. The test’s location is not stated.

The new general-purpose freighter drone can fly roughly 500 kilograms (1,102 lbs) of cargo and has a maximum range of up to 1,800 kilometers (more than 1,118 miles). The UAV has a special tail that folds to allow easier access to the cargo compartment inside it, which speeds up the loading procedure.

#China's homegrown #TP500 unmanned #freighter completed a successful maiden flight recently. The TP500 is a general-purpose unmanned transport platform with a large load &can transport cargo to as far as 500 km, carrying the standard 500kg laod. pic.twitter.com/NSOIGi9z3f
— Ambassador Hou Yanqi (@China2ASEAN) June 20, 2022

The initial flight, which lasted around 27 minutes, represents another significant step forward in the Aviation Industry Corporation of China’s (AVIC) development programme for large-scale unmanned air transport.

Primo volo dell’#aereo #cargo cinese senza pilota #TP500 della #Avic First Aircraft Institute #drone #cargodrone pic.twitter.com/TqNwvNKSLZ
— Maurizio (@mauriziog) June 18, 2022
Advertisement

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.