Communication through Digital Engineering Processes in an Aircraft Program

An aircraft is a complex, inherently multidisciplinary product that requires real time global collaboration for Design, Manufacture and Service. Digital engineering processes play an intelligent role in product and process design from concept to retirement, which is around 70 years. The entire engineering data is hierarchically structured and traced throughout the lifecycle under strict Configuration Control (CC). This requires an accurate, easily communicable Digital Mock-Up as a Virtual 3D-static and dynamic platform for, real-time concurrent engineering through wide collaboration, a sample of which is presented herein. Holistically, this requires a networked Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) system, as an Integrated Digital Environment for engineering (primary and continuous improvement) for life cycle of the aircraft. The latest feature in PLM is the use of Model Based Engineering.