Aurora Flight Sciences company

Advanced uncrewed aircraft systems for autonomous flight testing and experimental missions, supporting innovation and development across aviation programs.

Aurora Flight Sciences overview

Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing Company, is dedicated to advancing the future of flight through pioneering engineering, breakthrough technologies, and a culture of constant innovation. For more than three decades, Aurora has designed, built, and flown next-generation aircraft while developing the enabling systems that make new forms of aviation possible. From uncrewed aircraft and experimental demonstrators to cutting-edge autonomy and novel propulsion, Aurora’s mission is simple: solve the hardest challenges in aerospace and deliver reliable, high-value solutions that push the industry forward.

Who We Are

Founded in 1989 in Virginia, Aurora Flight Sciences has grown from a small research-focused startup into a global leader in advanced aerospace development. Today, the company operates across five U.S. and international locations, uniting engineers, scientists, and aviation experts in the common purpose of redefining how aircraft are created and operated. With the combined agility of a specialized innovation firm and the industrial strength of Boeing, Aurora stands uniquely positioned to shape the next era of aviation—from sustainable propulsion to fully autonomous operations.

In its first 35 years, Aurora designed and flew 35 unique aircraft, each developed to explore new concepts, validate emerging technologies, or expand operational capability. This spirit of experimentation continues to define the company as it engineers the platforms and systems that will power tomorrow’s air mobility ecosystem.

What We Do

Aurora Flight Sciences brings together the disciplines of aircraft design, autonomy, aerostructures, testing, and advanced manufacturing to deliver complete solutions from concept to flight. Our portfolio spans four core areas:

Advanced and Uncrewed Aircraft

Aurora has extensive experience developing experimental aircraft, prototype air vehicles, and small-to-large uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS). These systems support missions in intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance (ISR), electric propulsion research, future mobility, and advanced operations requiring reliability, endurance, and precision. Platforms such as SKIRON-X, our Group 2 fixed-wing eVTOL sUAS, represent our ability to merge ease of operation with long-range, long-duration performance.

Aerosystems Manufacturing

We partner with customers to turn innovative ideas into manufacturable products. With deep expertise in advanced composites, modular design, robotic fabrication, and rapid production processes, Aurora produces components, sub-assemblies, and complete airframes for both prototype and production programs. Our manufacturing capabilities reflect our commitment to first-time quality, scalability, and technical excellence.

Research & Technology

Research is central to Aurora’s identity. We explore and mature next-generation technologies across autonomy, human-machine integration, electric and hybrid propulsion, sustainable materials, and novel aircraft configurations. Our track record in rapid prototyping and experimental development helps customers accelerate innovation while reducing risk and cost.

Flight Operations and Testing

Aurora operates one of the industry’s most effective and safety-focused flight test ecosystems. Through simulated and live testing, we validate aircraft performance, sensor systems, autonomy algorithms, propulsion technologies, and mission equipment. Our incremental, data-driven approach enables fast feedback loops, helping customers refine their systems and reach readiness faster.

Key Programs

Aurora executes high-impact programs for government, defense, and commercial partners. These programs deliver new capabilities and advance the larger aerospace ecosystem.

Experimental Aircraft

Aurora designs, builds, and flies X-planes and Y-planes for customers such as the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and NASA. These aircraft push the boundaries of sustainability, autonomy, electric propulsion, and aerodynamic efficiency, setting new benchmarks for the industry.

Autonomy

We are at the forefront of autonomous decision-making, machine learning, and human-machine teaming. Our work enhances operational safety, expands mission flexibility, and builds trust in autonomous air systems. Capabilities include advanced perception, robust GNC (guidance, navigation, and control), and autonomy frameworks applicable to aircraft ranging from small UAS to urban air mobility vehicles.

Small Uncrewed Aircraft Systems

Aurora delivers sUAS designed for flexibility, intelligence, and mission endurance. With solutions such as the SKIRON-X fixed-wing eVTOL and AI-enabled quadcopters for testing autonomy, we help customers conduct ISR missions, prototype new capabilities, and integrate intelligent systems within ground and air operations.

Sustainability and Future Propulsion

Aurora is committed to cleaner, more efficient aviation. Programs include:

• Odysseus, a solar-powered stratospheric aircraft

• Electric and hybrid-electric flight demonstrators

• New battery technologies and propulsion architectures

• Drag- and weight-reducing aircraft structures for next-generation platforms

Centaur Aircraft System

Aurora’s Centaur is a multi-role, flexible research and training platform offering:

• Surrogate uncrewed operations through ground-controlled flight with an onboard safety pilot

• Exceptional payload capacity and endurance

• Advanced automation and redundant flight control systems

Urban Air Mobility

Aurora is helping shape the future of urban aviation. Our work supports:

• Wisk’s fully autonomous electric eVTOL aircraft

• Research into personal urban air mobility

• Passenger Air Vehicle development, electric propulsion integration, and autonomous flight operations

Leadership and Culture

Aurora is led by President and CEO Mike Caimona and a cross-functional leadership team with over 450 years of combined aerospace experience. Our culture prioritizes engineering integrity, first-time quality, responsible innovation, and safety. Backed by Boeing’s global reach and resources, our teams tackle challenges with the speed of a specialized R&D organization and the reliability demanded by the aerospace sector.

Looking Forward

Every day at Aurora, we work toward a single goal: engineering the future of flight. Through our continued investment in autonomy, sustainability, advanced propulsion, and revolutionary aircraft designs, we are shaping an aviation landscape where flight is safer, more efficient, more accessible, and more capable than ever before.

Aurora Flight Sciences remains committed to pushing the boundaries, partnering with visionary customers, and transforming bold ideas into operational reality.