Announcement of another acquisition this week. This time the newly acquired company will be an asset as a partner that specializes in designing and producing unmanned air vehicles.
Boeing [NYSE: BA] plans to acquire Aurora Flight Sciences Corporation, a world-class innovator, developer and manufacturer of advanced aerospace platforms, under an agreement signed by the companies. Aurora specializes in autonomous systems technologies to enable advanced robotic aircraft for future aerospace applications and vehicles.
Greg Hyslop, chief technology officer and senior vice president of Boeing Engineering, Test and Technology said that the combined strength and innovation of their teams will advance the development of autonomy for their commercial and military systems. He continued saying that together, these talented teams will open new markets with transformational technologies.
Leveraging autonomous systems that include perception, machine learning and advanced flight control systems, Aurora has designed, produced and flown more than 30 unmanned air vehicles since the company was founded in 1989. Aurora Flight Sciences is a leader in the emerging field of electric propulsion for aircraft. During the last decade, Aurora has collaborated with Boeing on the rapid prototyping of innovative aircraft and structural assemblies for both military and commercial applications.
John Langford, Aurora founder and chief executive officer remarked that since its inception, Aurora has been focused on the development of innovative aircraft that leverage autonomy to make aircraft smarter, and that as an integral part of Boeing, their pioneered technologies of long-endurance aircraft, robotic co-pilots, and autonomous electric VTOLs will be transitioned into world-class products for the global infrastructure.
Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. This transaction, anticipated to close following receipt of customary regulatory approvals, does not affect Boeing's financial guidance. Once acquired, Aurora will be a subsidiary under Boeing Engineering, Test and Technology known as Aurora Flight Sciences, A Boeing Company. It will retain an independent operating model while benefiting from Boeing's resources and position as the leading provider of aerospace products and services.
Headquartered in Manassas, Virginia, Aurora has more than 550 employees and operates in six states in the U.S. including a research and development center located near MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts, manufacturing facilities in Bridgeport, West Virginia and Columbus, Mississippi with offices in Dayton, Ohio, Mountain View, California and Luzern, Switzerland.