Aerospace

Rolls Royce in talks with DRDO to rev up AMCA engines

To discuss the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Engine, a group from the Defence Research and Development Organization met with representatives from Rolls Royce, based in the UK.

By 2028, India's AMCA fifth-generation fighter jet prototype may fly.

To discuss the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA) Engine, a group from the Defence Research and Development Organization met with representatives from Rolls Royce, based in the UK. India would keep the Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) for High Thrust Low Bypass Engines (110kn+) under this joint venture.

The Director General of the DRDO, Ms. Chandrika Kaushik, and the Indian High Commissioner to the United Kingdom, Dr. Vikram Doraiswamy, were present at a presentation that was held at the Rolls Royce facility, per tweets from the Indian High Commission in London. Additionally, as shown by one of the posters, the presentation was about the AMCA Engine, as seen by the photos in the tweets.

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The president of Rolls-Royce India and South Asia, Kishore Jayaraman, is quoted as saying that in the event of a collaboration, the Indian government would hold the intellectual property (IP) rights to the engines. India would require IP to tune and develop its engines in the future. In addition, IP guarantees that engines may be sold to third parties and that India is not subject to geopolitical veto power by the United Kingdom.

According to Jayaraman, Rolls Royce is committed to the co-creation philosophy because, in the end, when organizations co-create, they build intellectual property, and the IP is developed locally. A product’s supply chain and services model may grow in India if it is created and produced there. He claims that this promotes a new environment for the Indian aviation industry.

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A Eurojet EJ200 version with 110–120KN thrust is available from Rolls Royce. The joint venture between SAFRAN and DRDO is based on the M88 engine base type and is envisaged with complete ToT.

Since the NGFA 110kn+ is not anticipated to start development until 2030, there is currently no agreement in place between DRDO and RR. A shared IP is also taken into consideration in addition to an Indian-only IP, depending on the overall cost of the engine project.

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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.