Aerospace

Is India purchasing overpriced MQ-9B Predator Drones from the United States?

India acknowledges the purchase of a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) for Indian Defence, which might be used to patrol borders and protect territory in emergency situations. According to a recent report, the Praedtor is being criticized for the excessive amount which India is planning to pay. We shall learn the rationale behind this UAV’s exorbitant cost in this video.

India is currently developing 5 UAVs that it plans to use in the future.(Opens in a new browser tab)

The characteristics of a UAV are similar to those of a fighter jet but without a pilot inside. Instead, it is entirely controlled from the ground using a satellite navigation system. Drones are used to identify ground reports from remote locations and to detect enemy activity using infrared cameras and other cutting-edge sensors.

India to buy 31 Predator drones from the US for $3.5 bn(Opens in a new browser tab)

The MQ 9B American drone marine guardian UAV can fly up to 40,000 feet and has a 30-hour endurance. The sea guardian has a maximum range of 5,000 nautical miles and an airspeed of 210 KTAS. Additionally, the exterior cargo capacity is 2,155 kg with 9 external hardpoints, while the interior payload capacity is 363 kg. Around 5,670 kg is the drone’s maximum takeoff weight.

India’s $3 Billion MQ-9 Reaper Drones Deal With US In Advanced Stage(Opens in a new browser tab)

Up to 31 of these drones will be purchased by India for the price of 99 million dollars each. Other nations have bought conventional drones of the same sort, which may cost up to 55 million dollars, but they are devoid of any sophisticated features.

This Guy Created a Personal Helicopter at Home by Joining 54 drones together. (Opens in a new browser tab)

Given that technology has improved and that more services might be required in the future, these drones are pricey. Indian UAVs could now operate more conveniently thanks to new technologies. Additionally, this would be equipped with Indian-made missiles and an aircraft system.

Engines, radar processor units, avionics, sensors, and software are just a few of the major parts and subsystems that will be made in or imported from India. The USA is willing to give away 15–20% of the technology transfer.

India’s military forces will be able to monitor the nation’s land and maritime borders thanks to these drones.

Two MQ-9B Sea Guardian drones were leased by the Indian Navy from General Atomics for a year to be used for surveillance in the Indian Ocean. After that, the lease’s term was extended.

Indian Defence may increase its reliance on external monitoring to better secure the country. These drones will be used near the border between Pakistan and China primarily for activity observation. The 30-hour endurance may serve as extra support for successful strategies.

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.