Boeing company Aurora Flight Sciences recently celebrated the grand opening of a major expansion at its Mississippi manufacturing site.
The expansion adds nearly 50,000 sq. ft. of new space and renovates 40,000 sq. ft. of existing space. The project brings new automation equipment, robotics, machining capabilities and non-destructive inspection technologies.
The facility manufactures advanced composite components and assemblies for a range of specialty aircraft, including the MQ-25A Stingray unmanned aerial refueler, military helicopters, business jets and spacecraft.
The grand opening event on August 19, 2026, brought together state leaders, community partners and Aurora team members to celebrate the milestone. Luke Colville, president and CEO of Aurora, joined Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves, Senator Roger Wicker, Congressman Trent Kelly and Congressman Michael Guest in commemorating the facility.
Aurora first established its presence in Mississippi in 2005 at Mississippi State University’s Raspet Flight Research Laboratory.
Two years later, the company relocated to its current facility near the Golden Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus. What began as roughly 21,000 square feet of manufacturing space has now grown to more than 170,000 square feet.
With approximately 120 employees currently on-site, Aurora expects to grow its workforce by more than 30 percent over the next four years.
The company employs skilled technicians and offers training for individuals joining from local vocational programs, supported in part by long-standing partnerships with Mississippi State University, East Mississippi Community College and regional career technical centers.
