PRODUCT LIFECYCLE MANAGEMENT
❱❱ The 3DEXPERIENCE PLM software from Dassault Systèmes is being used by Blue Spirit Aero in the design and certification of the company’s innovative hydrogen fuel cell-powered concept aircraft
PLM gives Dragonfly wings F
Product lifecycle management software helps aviation developer harness hydrogen fuel cell technology
rench aerospace manufacturer Dassault Systèmes has been working with an aviation start-up business in France, Blue Spirit Aero, which is harnessing hydrogen fuel cell technology to produce the Dragonfly, a
hydrogen-electric fuel cell light aircraft. The companies are collaborating with the use of Dassaults’ 3DEXPERIENCE product lifecycle management (PLM) platform to both accelerate development of Dragonfly and advance certification of accessible clean aviation. Blue Spirit Aero is also gaining the cost benefits of deploying its PLM software in the cloud so that it does not have to invest in computer hardware on its premises. The Dragonfly fuel cell aircraft, which relies on Blue Spirit’s proprietary electro-propulsive technology optimised for clean performance, is being developed for certification and entry into service in 2026. In a few months, Blue Spirit Aero has used Dassault Systèmes’ Reinvent the Sky system based on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to complete the detailed 3D design of Dragonfly’s shapes, and test and validate aerodynamics, structure and energy performance. From the outset, the platform’s virtual cloud
environment enabled the startup to structure its internal processes and streamline communication between experts across disciplines and locations for more efficient decision-making and full traceability. According to Olivier Savin, CEO and founder of
16 /// Testing & Test Houses /// December 2022
Blue Spirit Aero, the 3DEXPERIENCE platform is a technology widely used within aviation and by using it to develop the Dragonfly aircraft all the way from its initial concept through to flight certification, not only is Blue Spirit Aero relying on one platform for all aspects of the product development, it is also giving credibility to each milestone that is achieved. “We can show potential investors, partners, employees, suppliers, customers and regulators that viable hydrogen fuel cell solutions are being developed with the same software that has also been used for making some of the most technologically advanced commercial airliners possible,” he says. Global aviation is striving to achieve net-zero by 2050. Transforming new technology into products that fly requires new ways of working that combine the expertise of all those involved throughout the supply chain and enables efficient certification processes. Regulators are working to establish certification processes for products and models that are making use of the latest hydrogen fuel cell technologies. Blue Spirit Aero will be a catalyst in this by using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to demonstrate the feasibility of its products. According to David Ziegler, vice-president, Aerospace & Defence Industry at Dassault, Blue Spirit Aero exemplifies a dynamic startup driving the hydrogen economy that shares the industry vision for more sustainable aviation. “The Reinvent the Sky programme and the scalability offered by the cloud allow it to deploy new capabilities as its project matures, optimise programme execution and reduce costs. These are all on the list of necessities for a startup that is paving the way toward the certification of a new category of vehicle.” T&TH
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