Aurora Labs partners with US aerospace company for 3D-printed aircraft engines

Australian 3D printing specialist Aurora Labs has signed a memorandum of understanding with US-based Mayman Aerospace to explore collaborative development of 3D-printed micro gas turbines for advanced aircraft propulsion systems.

The two-year partnership marks Aurora Labs’ first entry into the US aerospace and defence technology ecosystem, representing a strategic move to penetrate the lucrative North American market.

Under the agreement, the companies will collaborate on developing additively manufactured micro gas turbines for integration into Mayman Aerospace’s innovative VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) aircraft platform, including their RAZOR aircraft that utilises four micro gas turbines.

“A3D is thrilled to formalise this collaboration with Mayman Aerospace,” said Aurora Labs CEO Rebekah Letheby. “As we expand our presence into the United States—a market renowned for its scale, innovation, and appetite for advanced aerospace technology—this MoU is a key milestone in our growth strategy.”

The partnership will involve exchanging technical knowledge and performance data to accelerate development of compact propulsion units, while also leveraging each company’s networks across global defence and aerospace communities.

David Mayman, Founder and CEO of Mayman Aerospace, highlighted the alignment between the companies’ capabilities. “Their expertise in additive manufacturing and advanced propulsion aligns strongly with our vision for high-performance, scalable VTOL platforms,” he said. “This collaboration opens new possibilities for propulsion integration and rapid prototyping.”

The partnership is expected to enhance Aurora Labs’ brand visibility among key US aerospace stakeholders and accelerate commercialisation pathways for 3D-printed propulsion systems through integration into next-generation aircraft designs.

Mayman Aerospace is known for developing advanced VTOL aircraft and propulsion platforms for defence and commercial applications, including JetPack and Razor platforms focused on transforming aerial mobility and logistics.

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