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Mike Caimona

Mike Caimona

President & CEO
Aurora Flight Sciences
28 June 2024

Aurora Flight Sciences is an American aviation and aeronautics research subsidiary of Boeing founded in 1989. Headquartered in Virginia, it designs, builds, and flies advanced aircraft and enabling technologies.

How did your experience as an officer in the US Navy inform your career trajectory from working at Boeing to joining its subsidiary Aurora Flight Sciences in 2020? 

I enlisted in the Navy for 10 years after college, received my commission a couple of years later, and it's surprising how much I still reflect on that time. It was a formative period that remains very impactful where I developed my leadership approach and learned about different technologies. Being in the military changes your perception of risk, which puts decisions into perspective.

Aurora has been around for 35 years, and over the last five or six years, our relationship with Boeing has strengthened this focus. We emphasize rapid aircraft development, taking concepts to the first flight quickly and safely. Aurora focuses on foundational research, looking at technologies like algorithm development, energy storage, and new material systems that may be a decade away from being used in aeroplanes. 

Can you share some of the current plans you are working on for your commercial customers?

We support both commercial and defense markets, focusing on technology and innovation. NASA is a significant partner, especially in sustainability. We work on major programs like X-66, NASA’s Sustainable Flight Demonstrator, and, with GE Aerospace, NASA’s Electrified Powertrain Flight Demonstration (EPFD) project. These important programs are pushing sustainability in aviation forward. They focus on airframe design and propulsion to make a significant impact on sustainable aviation. 

Technology is your bread and butter. Which innovations are you most excited about leveraging in 2024?

Applying technology goes beyond developing aeroplanes; it's also about business operations. Leveraging big data and modernizing our business systems unlocks the real innovation potential. Investing in infrastructure ensures our engineers and technicians have the best tools, eliminating barriers to developing amazing technology. Creating an environment where innovation thrives is crucial. 

Safety is a priority. We inject quality and safety early into the design process to reduce risks by the manufacturing stage. Our research focuses on pilot and design safety. Combining research, technology, and manufacturing teams enhances product quality and safety. 

Can you tell us about your plans to achieve net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 in your research and operation? 

Achieving net zero carbon emissions is a focus due to public demand and industry responsibility - it is what the market requires. We are researching new airframe designs for better fuel efficiency and exploring hybrid and electric propulsion. Combining these innovations aims to reduce emissions significantly. Electrification, airframe design, and new material systems are all part of our sustainability efforts. Our customers, primarily airframers, demand sustainable aviation solutions. This demand drives significant investment across the industry, including research communities and major OEMs. 

Supply chain challenges post-pandemic is one lingering challenge. What other challenges are keeping you up at night, and how do you plan to mitigate them? 

The talent competition is intense, making experienced workforce acquisition critical. Robust global partnerships with academic institutions helps tap into emerging talent and research, influencing industry directions; connecting industry and academia is vital. Investments in talent development and research partnerships are essential for our advancement. Aurora has a subsidiary, Aurora Swiss Aerospace in Lucerne, Switzerland, a multinational hub due to its academic institutions. We've operated in Switzerland for 10 years, adding a unique dimension to our company. 

Virginia is also a significant technology hub with major universities and robust partnerships. Boeing's investments in research centers and proximity to government decision-makers provide quick feedback, enhancing the customer-technology loop. Companies and colleges investing in talent development make Virginia exciting for research. 

Much of your work is still a decade away from commercial application. What do your ambitions for growth look like over the next 2-5 years? 

Both commercial and defense markets will see significant advancements, especially in autonomy. Autonomy is crucial in manufacturing processes and aircraft development. Various sustainability-focused airframe and propulsion techniques are under significant testing. Material systems are evolving to be safer, lighter, and more fuel-efficient and technological advancements and reusable processes will streamline aircraft development.