JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #102 - January/February 2016 - 4

point of view: additive manufacturing

Aurora Flight Sciences,
composites materials conqueer the skies

Dan Campbell
Aerospace Research Engineer
Aurora Flight Sciences

JEC Composites Magazine:
Can you briefly describe your
career? When did you become interested in aeronautics and unmanned airborne
vehicles (UAV) in particular?

Dan Campbell: I've

been with Aurora Flight
Sciences for five years
now. Before that I was with
Lockheed Martin Space
Systems. I've always had a
fascination with aircraft and
spacecraft... particularly as
complex systems that push
the bound of engineering.
Aurora has been building
drones, flying robots and
pushing innovative bounda-

ries for nearly 30 years.
Joining Aurora provided an
opportunity to work at a
company where I could put
my education and experience to use while continuing
to learn from other talented
engineers in my field.
JCM: Composite materials
are used extensively in the
aerospace industry. Did they
seem an obvious choice in
UAV design from the start?

D. C. : Aurora's engineers
are leading experts in the
application of composites
for aircraft. A major portion
of the company's business
is aerostructures, which
are composite structures
for manned and unmanned
aircraft used for both com-

mercial and military applications.
JCM: In terms of volume,
what is the share of UAVs in
the aerospace sector? And
in your current activity? How
do you think this market
opportunity will develop for
composite materials?

interview

Founded in 1989, Aurora Flight Sciences is primarily specialised in
aeronautics research and construction of Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV).
During the 2015 Dubai Airshow, the company released the fastest and most
complex UAV in the world. Dan Campbell, Aerospace Research Engineer for Aurora Flight Sciences details what makes this sector an opportunity for composite materials before introducing the additive manufacturing azpproach on their
latest project produced in partnership with the 3D printing specialist Stratasys.

UAV consumers have
already expanded
beyond the hobby
market. The applications for consumer
drones are countless
and will undoubtedly
continue to grow.

About Aurora Flight Sciences
Aurora Flight Sciences is a leader in the development and
manufacturing of advanced unmanned systems and aerospace vehicles. Headquartered in Manassas, VA, Aurora operates production plants in Bridgeport, WV and Columbus, MS.
The company also has a Research and Development Center
in Cambridge, MA, and a recently opened office in Mountain
View, CA.

D. C. : What's clear in the
UAV market is an increase in
the transition from military
to commercial customers. That being said, we're
seeing market growth on
many fronts. Along with
that growth, there is also an
increase in the use of composite materials.
JCM: How do design/manufacturing technologies from

Aurora has four facilities that each have their own focus. Corporate Headquarters and Engineering are in Manassas, VA.
A manufacturing center is located in Bridgeport, WV in 2000.
Another manufacturing facility has been moved to Golden
Triangle Regional Airport in Columbus, MS. A research and
development center was opened in Cambridge, MA in 2005
where Aurora now develops a line of micro air vehicles.

4 jec composites magazine / No102 January - February 2016

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of JEC COMPOSITES MAGAZINE - Issue #102 - January/February 2016