Uncrewed Aircraft Systems (UAS) | Optionally Piloted Aircraft (OPA) | Counter-UAS (CUAS) Interceptor Drones

Aurora Flight Sciences is a leading developer of cutting-edge unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and aviation technologies. We have a proven and varied history of creating innovative solutions that span the state of the art in autonomous systems, propulsion engineering, manufacturing and a range of other disciplines.

Our products and our R&D capabilities solve problems for customers in the global commercial, defense and government sectors. We are also a trusted supplier to Tier 1 aerospace and aircraft manufacturers, providing high-quality components and sub-assemblies with the latest innovations in composite materials and robotic manufacturing.

Skiron-X Small Unmanned Aerial System

Group 2 UAS with VTOL capability & ISR payload

The Skiron Expeditionary sUAS (Skiron-X) is a Group 2 UAS with electric VTOL capabilities for versatile maneuvering as well as long-endurance flight. Optimized for ISR (intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance), this small unmanned aircraft can be set up and launched by a two-person crew in 15 minutes and carries out missions at undetectable altitudes.

The aircraft features a modular nosecone payload bay that can be equipped with an ISR-focused EO/IR camera or a custom payload integration. With a flight endurance of up to 180 minutes and long-range military-grade RF communications, the Skiron-X sUAS is well-suited for a variety of operations.

More information: Skiron-X Small UAS >

Centaur Optionally Piloted Aircraft

OPA system for ISR and R&D

The Centaur is a multi-mission optionally-piloted aircraft optimized for multi-domain ISR and designed to support piloted, remotely piloted, or hybrid flight operations. Based on a highly fuel-efficient twin engine aircraft design, the Centaur OPA can fly for more than 16 hours at altitudes of up to 25,000 feet.

The aircraft can be equipped with a wide variety of payloads, including EO/IR cameras, SAR (synthetic aperture radar) and multispectral sensors. It can be used for research and development and flight testing of new technologies with its FAA Airworthiness Certificate that allows it access to the National Airspace System (NAS).

More information: Centaur Optionally Piloted Aircraft >

Advanced & Experimental Aircraft

Cutting-edge design, manufacture and flight testing for the next generation of aviation

Designing, building, and flying advanced aircraft is at the heart of Aurora Flight Sciences. We bring together a unique combination of expertise across engineering, rapid prototyping, manufacturing, and flight operations, taking cutting-edge manned and unmanned aircraft designs from initial ideas through to full flight.

Aurora has a long and proven history of creating experimental and prototype aircraft for a wide range of aerospace and defense clients, including NASA and DARPA. The SunLight Eagle platform completed the first solar-powered UAS flights in the U.S. national airspace, and Orion set the world record for the longest flight duration achieved by a remotely-controlled UAV. In 2019, we flew our first unmanned eVTOL passenger air vehicle.

We are continuing to innovate with programs that demonstrate more sustainable propulsion systems, advanced flight controls, maritime heavy-air-lift, and high-speed vertical lift.

More information: Advanced & Experimental Aircraft