Advanced and Uncrewed Aircraft
Proven Development from Idea to Flight
Designing, building, and flying advanced aircraft is at the heart of Aurora Flight Sciences. Here, our breadth of expertise across engineering, rapid prototyping, manufacturing, and flight operations comes together to bring cutting-edge aircraft from idea to flight.
X- and Y-Planes
Aurora has a long history of designing, building, and flying experimental and prototype aircraft. SunLight Eagle completed the first solar-powered UAS flights in the national airspace in 2009, and Orion set the world record for the longest flight duration for a remotely controlled UAV in 2014. In 2019, we flew our first unmanned eVTOL passenger air vehicle. Today, our work continues with programs such as NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstrator and DARPA’s CRANE program.
Small UAS
Aurora’s SKIRON-X is a Group 2 sUAS that combines the simple operation of an electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) configuration with the longer range and endurance of a fixed-wing design. Its ISR-focused EO/IR camera payload options offer excellent ground resolution.
Centaur Optionally Piloted Aircraft
Centaur is an optionally piloted aircraft (OPA) system that combines the best of piloted, remotely piloted, and hybrid capabilities in a highly reliable and cost-effective aircraft. Centaur has been flying in the national airspace since 2015. It has completed several successful scientific missions, and it has conducted testing of various technologies necessary for unmanned operations. Centaur has also been delivered to international customers.
Novel Aircraft
Aurora creates novel aircraft that help our customers open new markets and create new experiences. We can engineer advanced aircraft from scratch, including every facet of vehicle design and operation. We can also bring existing concepts to fruition, adding the engineering, testing, and manufacturing know-how needed to succeed.
Image Credit: Wisk
Making an Air Vehicle
Bringing an aircraft from idea to flight takes an agile, multi-faceted team that comes together to solve problems and explore new solutions. Aurora’s vehicle program teams cut across the company and give engineers the opportunity to personally see their work take flight.
Flight Physics and Structural Engineering
Propulsion, Electronic Systems, and Power
Software and Autonomy
Systems Engineering and Integration
