In a move to increase its reach in autonomous technologies, Boeing struck an accord to acquire advanced aerospace research specialist Aurora Flight Sciences. Terms of the agreement announced this morning were not disclosed, but executives are hoping the acquisition will finalize “quickly,” following regulatory review.
The acquisition of Aurora will bring “a new chapter for The Boeing Company,” said Greg Hyslop, chief technology officer and senior v-p of Boeing Engineering, Test and Technology, providing a range of expertise in the areas of robotic and unmanned technologies, electric systems and advanced aerostructures for programs such as the Bell 525 Relentless and Gulfstream G500, as well as a range of other technologies. Aurora projects have included the Alias robotic copilot, the e-VTOL under development in concert with Uber, the D8 "double-bubble" commercial aircraft concept and the Centaur optionally-piloted aircraft, among numerous others.
"The combined strength and innovation of our teams will advance the development of autonomy for our commercial and military systems," Hyslop said. "Together, these talented teams will open new markets with transformational technologies."
Aurora has designed and flown more than 30 unmanned air vehicles since the company’s founding in 1989, Boeing pointed out and called the company a leader in electric propulsion for aircraft. Based in Manassas, Virginia, Aurora has more than 550 employees and operates in six states—with a research and development center in Cambridge, Massachusetts, manufacturing facilities in Bridgeport, West Virginia and Columbus, Mississippi and offices in Dayton, Ohio and Mountain View, California—as well as an office in Luzern, Switzerland
"Since its inception, Aurora has been focused on the development of innovative aircraft that leverage autonomy to make aircraft smarter," said John Langford, Aurora founder and CEO. "As an integral part of Boeing, our pioneered technologies of long-endurance aircraft, robotic copilots, and autonomous electric VTOLs will be transitioned into world-class products for the global infrastructure."
Following the acquisition, Aurora will continue to operate as Aurora Flight Sciences as a subsidiary under Boeing Engineering, Test and Technology. Plans call for the unit to “retain an independent operating model” but leverage Boeing resources, Boeing said.
Hyslop stressed that the intent is to keep Aurora Flight Sciences independent, including in areas such as aerostructures manufacturing, but to be able to take advantage of those facilities to bring in additional work. Also, he sees synergies between Aurora and Boeing’s HorizonX group that was recently formed with the acquisitions and partnerships of companies engaged in technologies such as artificial intelligence and augmented reality.
Noting the rapidly evolving technologies in the areas of autonomy and unmanned aircraft, he said the combination “will position us well for whatever the future may be.”
The companies believe the integration will ultimately touch a number of programs, and plan to look where they begin applying some of those technologies both in the commercial and defense side, Hyslop said, citing as example sensing technology and autonomous technologies that can improve the safety of flight. He does not see an immediate jump to pilotless cockpits, saying a number of technical challenges still confront such a prospect, but added that Boeing wants to remain on the forefront as the technologies mature.
For Aurora, the acquisition provides “the opportunity to take some of the cutting-edge R&D that we’ve been doing over the years in a whole range of areas… and apply it with the strength of the world’s leading aerospace company to get it out into the world market,” Langford said. “This is a really ideal match-up.”
Boeing approached Aurora about the potential acquisition a few months ago, Langford noted, saying, “The more we thought about it, the more we realized this could be a real powerhouse of a combination.”
The acquisition builds on an ongoing collaboration between Aurora and Boeing that has grown over the past decade as the companies prototyped aircraft and structural assemblies for military and commercial applications.
