Lockheed Martin opens ‘digital’ hypersonics factory in rural Lawrence County
COURTLAND, Alabama — At a World War II-era Air Force base in rural Lawrence County, defense contractor Lockheed Martin this month opened one of the nation’s smartest factories, where workers will bring to life futuristic technologies to protect the U.S. Lockheed Martin says the 65,000-square-foot structure in Courtland — known as Missile Assembly Building 4,…
GE Aviation’s Auburn plant ships 100,000th 3-D printed fuel nozzle
AUBURN, Alabama — The GE Aviation additive manufacturing center in Auburn has achieved a major milestone — it shipped the 100,000th fuel nozzle tip grown on sophisticated 3-D printers at a plant that is pioneering new technologies for producing jet engine components. The Auburn site began producing fuel nozzles in 2015 and was the industry’s…
Andalusia airport gives lift to Southeast Alabama aerospace hub
ANDALUSIA, Alabama — Covington County’s South Alabama Regional Airport has become a busy hub for aviators traveling throughout the Southeastern U.S. The airport has a heliport that provides hot and cold refueling services to civilian and military helicopters, as well as an airfield café that brings in hundreds of pilots daily. In addition, the airport’s…
Department of Defense launches aerospace research center at Tuskegee University
TUSKEGEE, Alabama — The U.S. Department of Defense has launched an Aerospace Education Research and Innovation Center (AERIC) at Alabama’s Tuskegee University, enhancing research in critical areas and expanding the future technical talent pipeline for the industry. In an announcement, the DOD said Tuskegee’s AERIC will support two-year research projects in the areas of fatigue…
Aircraft maintenance company plans operation at Selma’s Craig Field
SELMA, Alabama — Craig Field Executive Director Jim Corrigan announced that City Jet/Turbine Worx plans to open an aircraft maintenance operation and dispatch facility on Craig Field, a public airport and industrial facility. With the newly signed lease agreement, City Jet/Turbine Worx will operate on the flight line in Hangar 251 and create approximately 30…
Alabama’s ‘Rocket City’ tapped for U.S. Space Command headquarters
The Secretary of the U.S. Air Force announced today that Huntsville has been selected as the preferred location for the headquarters of the new U.S. Space Command, a move that is a natural fit for Alabama’s “Rocket City” and its longtime support of space and defense programs. Goals of the new command are to better…
Boeing Huntsville gets contract boost for key missile defense system
HUNTSVILLE, Alabama – Aerospace giant Boeing Co.’s Huntsville operation has been awarded a $249 million contract modification in support of the only operationally deployed missile defense capable of shielding the entire U.S. against long-range ballistic missile attacks. Boeing’s Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) system is designed to detect, intercept and destroy long-range missiles during their midcourse…
Airbus marks 5 years of aircraft production at Alabama facility
MOBILE, Alabama – The Airbus manufacturing facility in Alabama has marked a significant milestone – five years of aircraft production in its growing U.S. industrial home. The Airbus manufacturing center in Mobile began producing its first passenger jet — an A321 christened “BluesMobile” and destined for JetBlue — on Sept. 14, 2015. Since then, the…
Flight Works Alabama opens to inspire future aviation industry workers
MOBILE, Alabama – Flight Works Alabama, an aerospace education center located near the Airbus manufacturing facility in Mobile, has launched its mission to inspire and equip future aviation workers across the region. The 15,000-square-foot facility, which features more than 40 high-tech exhibits to provide a comprehensive look at the aviation and aerospace industry, officially opened…
Airbus launches A220 production on new Alabama assembly line
MOBILE, Alabama — Airbus said today that it has officially launched production of A220 aircraft at its newly constructed Final Assembly Line hangar at its Alabama manufacturing facility. Airbus also said its workforce in Mobile has begun production of the first U.S.-built A220 for U.S. airline company JetBlue. “The team is excited to start working…
