Atkins and Siemens to support Aeralis in implementation of its digital enterprise to deliver modular aircraft.

AERALIS, the transformational British Military jet developer, has today marked another key milestone in the development of its pioneering modular military aircraft, entering into strategic agreements with Atkins, a Member of the SNC-Lavalin Group, and Siemens Digital Industries Software. These agreements have been put in place to provide unmatched access to established UK aerospace resources, as well as accelerate digital transformation to become a fully integrated digital enterprise. Together these partnerships will provide AERALIS with the people and processes to develop its aircraft at pace.

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With a view to full-scale production, the Aeralis project has the scope to directly create over 200 new UK high-value design and manufacturing jobs, supporting a further 3800 in the UK supply chain (Picture source: Aeralis)

Acting as AERALIS’ Digital Technology Partner, Siemens will provide software applications from its Xcelerator Portfolio, a comprehensive and integrated portfolio of software and services. Built on a fully integrated digital infrastructure, Xcelerator will enable AERALIS’ to connect a range of product lifecycle business processes to create AERSIDE, AERALIS’s Smart Integrated Digital Enterprise. AERSIDE will connect to everything from aerospace vehicle design, production and assembly simulation, through maintenance, support modelling and training.

AERSIDE will be used by AERALIS, together with its Engineering Delivery Partner, Atkins, to design and develop its modular family of aircraft, starting with the first pre-production aircraft, set to fly in 2024. Atkins’ Aerospace & Defence team will provide multi-layered support to AERALIS, from specialist recruitment to safety assessments and specification, integration and certification. As well as supporting the requirements, detailed engineering design and down-selection processes for developing the aircraft, Atkins will also provide ready access to its human factor specialists for the development of the conceptual cockpit and human performance data assimilation.

The partnership with Atkins has secured a wealth of resources which will enable AERALIS to continue expanding its horizons in the development of its cutting-edge aircraft and will build on Atkins and Siemens’ existing commitment to the UK aerospace and defence sector, bringing proven experience in supporting many UK aerospace and defence companies and key programmes.

AERALIS has been using Polarion REQUIREMENTS™ software and Simcenter™ Amesim™ software, and the decision to implement additional elements from the Xcelerator portfolio solidifies this partnership and will enhance AERALIS’ ability to deliver its first aircraft at pace in order to exploit modular design to support customer needs.

The Aeralis modular aircraft system streamlines the design, development and in-service support processes for military aircraft across multiple training and front-line roles, helping to reduce the complexity and costs of acquisition and sustainment when compared with more traditional approaches (Picture source: Aeralis)

Tristan Crawford, AERALIS CEO said:

“We are delighted to announce our collaboration with Atkins and Siemens, whose resources and capabilities come highly respected in the industry. This enterprise relies upon a solid foundation of digital infrastructure and innovative engineering support, and represents a significant step forward in aircraft development. We are excited to be partnering with Atkins and Siemens in this endeavour, utilising a deep well of resources and support to redefine modern jet design.”

“If agile, modular, commercially-driven aircraft design is to succeed, the need to quickly ramp up availability at commercial scale is going to be critical,” said Ben Sheath, VP and managing director UK for Siemens Digital Industries Software. “We are delighted to be able to support AERALIS in achieving its business goals and the positive impact this will have on the UK aerospace industry and supply chain.”

Dave Clark, Vice President Aerospace & Defence at Atkins, said “We’re excited to be working with AERALIS to help shape the development of cutting-edge aircraft design. Our use of new and emerging technologies, such as digital twins, enables the team to test training jets virtually before they are built, in order to reduce risk and drive efficiencies”