Aerospace

SkyDrive receives new order for 100 eVTOL aircraft from CT UAV JSC

A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SkyDrive Inc., a major Japanese eVTOL aircraft manufacturer with headquarters in Toyota City, Japan, and CT UAV JSC in Vietnam was announced. CT UAV has agreed to pre-order up to 100 SkyDrive eVTOL aircraft “SKYDRIVE.”

A division of the Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam-based multi-business CT Group, CT UAV is developing a range of unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) technologies.

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A three-seater electric aircraft with vertical takeoff and landing is currently being developed by SkyDrive under the name “SKYDRIVE.” Its eVTOL is in the process of receiving certification from the Japan Civil Aviation Bureau (JCAB).

The organization CT Group, which has nine business divisions, supports CT UAV. To help Vietnamese intelligence catch up with the furious pace of the 4.0 technology revolution, CT Group is concentrating on 6 high-tech industries in addition to its three sustainable business lines, including CT UAV. CT UAV is building a brighter, more technologically advanced future and enhancing quality of life with the goal of being a leader in the fusion of artificial intelligence (AI) and UAV technology.

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In order to introduce new mobility solutions in Vietnam, SkyDrive and CT UAV will assess commercial eVTOL factors with interested parties, including vertiports, routes and network design, infrastructure requirements, and ecosystems.

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.