Dassault Systèmes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, world leader in 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, today announced that its 3DEXPERIENCE platform has been selected by Aeros, a leading aircraft manufacturing company, to aid in the design and production of its flagship Aero craft – the world's first cargo airship. Aeros will use the Dassault Systèmes “Engineered to Fly” industry solution experience to design and deliver the next generation of Aeros' airships and tethered aerostat solutions for military and commercial clients.

Aeros, which plans to have its initial fleet of 66- and 250-ton cargo airships enter global operation in the coming years, selected Dassault Systèmes' “Engineered to Fly” industry solution experience for its detail design work, including mechanical electrical and fluid systems design. Aeros will also validate the design against requirements and performance criteria (such as manufacturability) through continuous and robust simulations. With “Engineered to Fly,” Aeros will work in real time, both internally and with its partners worldwide, to ensure that each phase is completed on time.

“We chose a solution to integrate globally dispersed engineering teams and one that allows us to add capabilities as we grow,” said Igor Pasternak, CEO, Aeros. “The 'Engineered to Fly' industry solution experience is the obvious choice to help us manage complexity and very large scale systems in our airships. The solution also offers the scalability to meet our needs into the future as we focus on lowering costs and minimizing risk.”

The rigid Aeroscraft variable buoyancy airship will have the capacity to carry large quantities of supplies over great distances using a fraction of the fuel required by traditional transportation methods and the ability to deliver to areas that would be otherwise inaccessible to sea or land vehicles through its infrastructure independence. This type of groundbreaking application can provide supply and mobility for the military and for emergency response and humanitarian missions such as famine relief.

“We believe the Dassault Systèmes 'Engineered to Fly' industry solution experience offers Aeros and our other customers a foundation to improve global collaboration and overall productivity to support their company growth,” said Jeff Rickey, Vice President of Sales and Business Development, IDEX Solutions.

“Aeros' reinvention of the airship is set to change the way cargo is transported,” added Michel Tellier, Vice President, Aerospace & Defense Industry, Dassault Systèmes. “With 'Engineered to Fly', Aeros has a foundation in place to ensure that the airships they develop will perform in the plant and in the air, to cost and to schedule. This allows their focus to remain on innovation and creating next generation products.”