Aerospace

UK, Japan, Italy Sign Agreement for Next-Gen Fighter Jet Development

The UK, Japan, and Italy, the three governments participating in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), have inked a global agreement to supply a cutting-edge stealth fighter outfitted with state-of-the-art technology and capable of travelling faster than the speed of sound.

With the creation of the GCAP International Government Organisation (the GIGO) by the participating governments, the treaty signifies a significant milestone in the joint development and delivery of a next-generation fighter aircraft by 2035.

As a major industrial contributor to the effects domain of the GCAP programme, MBDA is delighted about the international treaty that the three GCAP governments have signed.

The agreement also stated that the GCAP government headquarters (HQ) will be located in the UK, with Japan providing the position of CEO initially. Delivering essential military capability, bolstering each nation’s combat air industrial capability, and obtaining value for money will be the HQ’s responsibilities.

Separately, a future joint business construct with its headquarters in the UK will be in charge of managing programme support and timely delivery, including the combat aircraft’s 2035 in-service date (known as Tempest in the UK).

Following a recent meeting in Tokyo, representatives from Leonardo, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and BAE Systems continued to discuss the future joint industrial construct to deliver GCAP. The industry partners announced a Collaboration Agreement in September of this year to facilitate continuing conversations about long-term working arrangements, concept maturity, and capability requirements for the next generation of combat aircraft. The joint development phase of the programme is due to launch in 2025.

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.