ILLINOIS — Aurora Flight Sciences, a Boeing Company with operations in Illinois, is helping shape the future of aviation by partnering with top universities to develop cutting-edge aerospace technologies. Through key initiatives supported by NASA, Aurora is contributing to research that spans from autonomous air systems to battery innovation — all while mentoring future engineers.
Partnering With Universities to Drive Innovation
Aurora has participated in six university-led NASA University Leadership Initiative (ULI) projects. These programs are designed to bring academic and industry minds together to solve complex aerospace challenges.
Jessica Edmonds, Aurora’s Senior Director of Applied Research, said the collaborations are a win-win:
“Being part of these projects allows us to share knowledge with students and stay involved in the most advanced research in aerospace.”
Aurora supports university teams by providing:
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Technical expertise and real-world flight data
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Advanced simulation tools and testing platforms
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Feedback during project reviews to align academic work with industry needs
Improving Airspace Communication and Autonomy
In a recent collaboration with the University of Colorado Boulder, Aurora is helping improve how autonomous aircraft systems communicate and coordinate in shared airspace. The goal is to boost safety and efficiency across autonomous aviation systems.
AI/ML research scientist Luke Burks said:
“We’re using our flight test capabilities to tackle the challenges of communication-aware planning and routing.”
As detailed in Aurora’s official update, the company is using its SKIRON-X drone platform to demonstrate advanced communication systems in action — pushing forward real-time testing of AI-driven coordination systems.
Battery Research for Future Air Mobility
Aurora is also supporting battery development efforts led by Baylor University. Engineer Jeffery Saunders emphasized that the research is vital for the future of urban air mobility (UAM):
“It’s not just about charging batteries — it’s about building an energy infrastructure for tomorrow’s aviation needs.”
The team is studying different battery chemistries and using machine learning to model energy consumption, aiming to optimize charging stations at vertiports and improve resource management.
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Designing the Future of Urban Air Mobility
From 2021 to 2024, Aurora contributed to a University of California San Diego project aimed at designing aircraft for urban settings. The team developed an open-source software tool — CADDEE — to help engineers design aircraft more efficiently using multidisciplinary data and simulations.
Lauren Wolfe, a conceptual design engineer at Aurora, explained that this work bridges university research and practical industry tools.
Aurora is now helping improve CADDEE under NASA’s Transformational Tools and Technologies project, further enhancing its capabilities for real-world applications.
A Model for Innovation and Community Impact
Aurora’s partnerships are not just about science — they also reflect a long-term investment in education, economic development, and local talent. By combining university creativity with industry experience, these projects give Illinois students a hands-on path into aerospace careers.
As the state continues to expand its tech and engineering sectors, programs like this remind residents why Illinois is a hub for innovation — and how strong university-industry ties can lead to real progress.
These university collaborations show how powerful education and innovation can be when Illinois leads. Share this with a student or educator passionate about aerospace — only on ChicagoSuburbanFamily.com.
