Boeing closes buy of autonomous tech outfit Aurora
By
Ross Wilkers
Boeing completes its acquisition of autonomous aerospace technology and unmanned platform maker Aurora Flight Sciences.
Boeing has completed its acquisition of Manassas, Va.-based Aurora Flight Sciences in a deal that adds new autonomous aerospace technologies and unmanned platforms to the portfolio.
Terms of the deal first announced Oct. 5 remain undisclosed and the move adds 550 new employees to Boeing, which will operate Aurora as a subsidiary in the airplane giant's main research-and-development organization.
Both companies have collaborated on autonomous projects for the military and are also prime awardees on the Air Force’s potential eight-year, $499 million “ASAPTR” contract to research new technologies for future air vehicles.
Founded in 1989, Aurora makes perception, machine learning and flight control systems and electric propulsion tools for aircraft. Aurora says it has designed, built and flown more than 30 vehicles since it opened for business.
Boeing also made changes in its executive ranks as the process to close the transaction moved forward. Former Aurora executive Mark Cherry is now leader of Boeing's Phantom Works advanced technology organization that works on many classified aerospace projects.