Aerospace

First LCA Mark1A fighter aircraft squadron to be deployed at Nal air base

The Tejas Mark 1A fighter aircraft, an indigenous light combat aircraft, is scheduled to be stationed at the Nal airbase in Bikaner, Rajasthan, close to the Pakistani border. According to reliable sources, the first squadron of the aircraft will be stationed at the Nal airbase.

The aircraft are being outfitted with the newest in-country radars and avionics, making them far more sophisticated than the current LCA Mark1 Tejas fighters. It is anticipated that Hindustan Aeronautics Limited will deliver the first LCA Mark1A aircraft to the Indian Air Force by the end of February or early March.

With 97 more aircraft approved by the central government and 83 already in production, large-scale production of the LCA Mark1A fighter jets is now planned. In the next eight to ten years, 220 LCA Mark 1 and LCA Mark 1A aircraft are expected to be brought into service in addition to the forty LCA Mark-1 Tejas fighters.

Hindustan Aeronautics Limited is predicted to produce 24 fighter aircraft annually by 2025, having accelerated its rate of production.

The Tejas Mark 1A fighter aircraft is designed, developed, and produced entirely in the country using more than 65% native parts. Rajnath Singh, the Minister of Defence, chaired the Defence Acquisition Council, which approved the IAF’s upgrade programme for Su-30 fighter aircraft.

According to information obtained, the government expects to spend Rs 1.3 lakh crore on the Su-30 upgrade programme and massive procurement projects. The Indian Air Force is also clear about one thing: it will only possess “Made in India” fighter aircraft going forward, and it will need about 120 indigenous Multirole Fighter Aircraft (MRFA) to match the two squadrons of Rafale fighters to have the necessary capability to counter threats from both fronts.

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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.