Aerospace

NASA may build a new narrow-body Boeing aircraft wing that would cut emissions by 30%.

Boeing [NYSE: BA] and its industry team have been chosen by NASA to oversee the creation and testing of a full-scale Transonic Truss-Braced Wing (TTBW) demonstrator aircraft.

Future designs will be influenced by the technology shown off and put to the test as part of the Sustainable Flight Demonstrator (SFD) initiative, which may result in ground-breaking aerodynamic and fuel efficiency improvements.

Depending on the mission, a single-aisle airplane with a TTBW layout could, when coupled with anticipated improvements in propulsion systems, materials, and systems architecture, cut fuel consumption and emissions by up to 30%. The SFD program aims to promote both the objectives outlined in the White House’s U.S. Aviation Strategy and the civil aviation industry’s commitment to achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050.

NASA has selected Boeing and its industry team to lead the development and flight testing of a full-scale Transonic Truss-Braced Wing (TTBW) demonstrator airplane.

Greg Hyslop, chief engineer and executive vice president of Engineering, Test & Technology of Boeing, stated that the SFD program “has the potential to make a significant contribution toward a sustainable future.” It offers the chance to create, construct, and test-fly a full-scale experimental plane while tackling brand-new technical issues.

Advanced propulsion systems, which are now constrained by a lack of underwing space in today’s low-wing airplane layouts, could potentially be accommodated by ultrathin wings braced by struts with bigger spans and higher aspect ratios. Boeing will combine brand-new components with existing car parts to create the prototype vehicle.

NASA’s funding through the SFD Space Act Agreement totals $425 million. The SFD program will also leverage up to $725 million in funding from Boeing and its industry partners to shape the demonstrator program and meet the resource needs required. Separately, Boeing’s previous internal investments for recent phases of sustainable aviation research total $110 million.

The TTBW airframe concept is the result of more than a decade of development supported by NASA, Boeing, and industry investments. Under previous NASA programs including the agency’s Subsonic Ultra Green Aircraft Research program, Boeing conducted extensive wind tunnel testing and digital modeling to advance the design of the TTBW. Early conceptual studies started under NASA’s Environmentally Responsible Aviation program.

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.