AERALIS is one of the most digitally integrated aircraft programmes in the world. Although the structure is traditional aircraft engineering, the combination of digital systems going on behind the scenes is anything but.

Anton Burford CEng MIMechE, AERALIS Capability Director: “The AERALIS programme has taken the concept of digital twinning to a new level of sophistication. In order to deliver a reconfigurable aircraft system, we’ve pioneered end-to-end digital design-to-digital certification, and developed AERSIDE® – a centralised digital enterprise that unites the whole programme, from digital design to operational flight data.”

Here’s AERALIS Chief Engineer, Tim Williams:
“AERSIDE® (AERALIS Smart Integrated Digital Enterprise) will manage the through-life data of every module (eg. wing sets, cockpit, empennage, air intakes, engine nacelles); all modules and CCFs (Common Core Fuselages) will be digitally twinned. Performance data will therefore be tracked for all modules and fuselages enabling smart maintenance scheduling and optimised operational life.

Modules will be moved from one role to another to maximise life usage, with AERSIDE® directing that optimisation. Imagine the cost benefits of that extended across a whole fleet.

Tim Williams, Chief Engineer

“Careful through-life management of aircraft modules, including usage tracking, is the key to fundamentally changing the economics of fast jet operations. Modules will be moved from one role to another to maximise life usage, with AERSIDE® directing that optimisation. Imagine the cost benefits of that extended across a whole fleet.

“Each given CCF will take data from the modules it is being paired with, including weight and balance, informing the avionics of the new configuration.”

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