Boeing officially acquires autonomous systems firm Aurora Flight Sciences

WASHINGTON — Boeing has finalized its acquisition of Aurora Flight Sciences, a developer of advanced aerospace platforms and autonomous systems, according to a Boeing news release. The acquisition is expected to benefit Boeing’s unmanned systems business.

Aurora Flight Sciences will function as a subsidiary of Boeing’s engineering, test and technology unit, but will retain operational independence.

RELATED

Lord neutral on recent merger and acquisition activity

The Pentagon’s top acquisition official is remaining neutral following a trio of major defense merger and acquisition announcements.

By Aaron Mehta

Based in Manassas, Virginia, Aurora specializes in advanced flight-control systems, unmanned aircraft and experimental aircraft development. Defense News previously reported that Aurora founder and CEO John Langford regarded the Boeing acquisition as a way to get the company onto the world stage to further research and development.

Aurora’s president and chief operating officer, Mark Cherry, will become the head of Phantom Works, Boeing’s advanced technology sector. Cherry’s role could potentially include developing technologies to be used for future U.S. Air Force and U.S. Navy fighter aircraft bids by Boeing.

More In Industry

NATO drone surveillance hours surge amid growing appetite for intel

“The North Atlantic security environment is under threat,” said Scott Bray, the assistant secretary general for intelligence and security.

Pentagon innovation chief calls for bigger, faster Replicator 2.0

Defense Innovation Unit head Doug Beck outlined his goals for the next version of the drone program, even while the first is a work in progress.

Stingy intel-sharing a ‘recipe for losing,’ Space Force’s Miller says

"The United States does not go into conflict alone," Lt. Gen. David Miller said at the GEOINT conference. "Check your history. It does not happen."

Teledyne unveils Rogue 1 exploding drone sought by Marine Corps

Should the Rogue 1 drone not explode or be recalled, it can be disarmed and reused thanks to a mechanical disconnect.

National Geospatial-Intelligence Agency creating space intel hub

While the Joint Mission Management Center is still in the concept phase, NGA is working quickly to get it up and running.