Engineering tomorrow's aircraft and space systems

Aerospace manufacturers are faced with the challenge of designing systems and components that have to be safer, more reliable, cheaper to operate, deliver better passenger comfort and have less environmental impact than their competitors. In addition, they have to systematically reduce development times in order to get new products to market earlier. Yet, only a few prototypes are available and, in most cases, only towards the end of the development cycle. Stringent environmental constraints, increased competition and global partnering translate into difficult engineering challenges and an ever-stronger need for collaborative design and engineering solutions.

Although virtual prototype simulation has dramatically accelerated the development processes, physical testing continues to play a mission-critical role. Only testing can provide the feedback the design teams require to validate their assumptions and calibrate their virtual models. The LMS strategy focuses on making testing more efficient, integrate it more tightly into the development process, and to leverage the knowledge generated by testing throughout the company. LMS’ simulation and testing solutions are used by aerospace engineering teams to:

Ensure the structural integrity of the aircraft and its critical components, while applying lighter materials
Reduce noise levels and emissions, while increasing the performance of jet engines
Increase passenger comfort, and at the same time reduce overall weight
Develop lighter mechanical systems without compromising safety and reliability
Design larger and more complex satellites that withstand extreme launch and operation conditions

Designing tomorrow's aircraft structures

Airframe manufacturers are continuously creating innovative designs, making greater use of new lightweight materials and increasing their focus on passenger comfort. Achieving a perfect balance between these competing requirements represents a tremendous challenge for the design and engineering of the airframe.

Ensuring engine reliability and performance

Today’s engine designers need to manage the conflicting goals: increasing performance while reducing fuel consumption and noise. To meet these challenges, engine designers need better tools to simulate performance prior to prototyping. They have to define and prepare the tests as much as possible before the prototype is available, and have to acquire and evaluate large amounts of test data while avoiding errors.

Getting mechanical systems right first time

A major challenge facing engineers designing aerospace mechanical systems is to increase functionality while reducing weight and improving reliability. The interaction between control systems and mechanical assemblies needs to ensure safety, durability and stability. Loads at the component and system level need to be accurately calculated long before the prototype phase, while taking into account the flexibility of the structures involved.

Analysis, testing and qualification of satellites, space launchers and components

Space system design involves meeting rigorous environmental constraints and stringent weight requirements. The payload must be able to withstand the pre-launch, launch and flight path loading while delivering full functionality and avoiding damage to other critical components.