What you’ll learn:
- How innovations in regional air travel are improving conditions for passengers and the environment
- How higher ed institutions are joining forces with Dassault Systèmes to prepare the workforce of the future with hands-on experiences
- How suppliers are using state-of-the-art solutions to meet rising demands necessitated by the future of flight
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No, Dassault Systèmes does not make planes. But there is merit to this common misconception. For one thing, Dassault Aviation – the company we spun out of more than 40 years ago – remains a major player in aeronautics. For another, we’ve got a strong presence of our own in the aerospace and defense industry.
While we don’t make the planes ourselves, 90% of commercial are aircrafts are made with using our solutions. Propelling the future of flight is a legacy we’re proud to build upon year after year. And 2025 was no different.
Here, we’ve collected 15 customer success stories from some of the most innovative companies in the industry. From making regional air travel more sustainable to preparing the workforce of the future to streamlining aerostructure production, these companies are putting virtual twins and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to great use in shaping the future of flight.
Revolutionizing regional air travel
Regional air travel can get a bad rap, thanks to factors ranging from cramped seating to carbon emissions. But a new group of aerospace innovators are committed to making improvements for passengers and the environment.
Here are four unique customer success stories, including an all-electric eVTOL, a new take on battery-electric planes, a “Microliner” with batteries in its wings, and a next-gen turboprop showing how virtual worlds will shape the future of flight.
After 15 years of engineering and collaboration with NASA, Toyota and the FAA, Joby Aviation, based in California, has created the world’s first all-electric vertical takeoff and landing air taxi. Building an eVTOL aircraft certified for commercial flight and bringing it to market safely was no small task. Joby engineered its entire operations from the ground up, by leveraging the 3DEXPERIENCE® platform from the beginning.
“Dassault Systèmes has been a fantastic partner,” said Eric Allison, chief product officer at Joby. “Our entire digital engineering is built around its 3DEXPERIENCE platform, and we are doing all of our design work in CATIA. We are tracking all of our engineering data in ENOVIA.”
Netherlands-based Elysian Aircraft is developing the E9X, a 90-seat battery-powered plane capable of flying 800 kilometers on a single charge. Aiming to replace 50% of global flights with zero-emission solutions, Elysian uses Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform to streamline design, analysis and data management.
“There are different ways in which Dassault Systèmes’ solution helps us,” said Reynard de Vries, co-founder and chief engineer of Elysian Aircraft. “We use it to design the aircraft, but also to take lessons learned from both digital simulation and physical hardware testing and bring them back into the design process, getting that data into the single source of truth.”
VÆRIDION, a German aircraft manufacturer, is building the battery-powered Microliner for emission-free regional flights. This nine-passenger plane will connect up to 2,300 European airports, opening new routes for underserved regions. Designed with cutting-edge technology on the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, the Microliner features wing-integrated batteries and a multi-engine propulsion system.
“During the design phase, the virtual twin acts as the master of all data,” said VÆRIDION Chief Technology Officer Markus Kochs-Kämper. “We are able to manage detailed design and configuration real time in the 3D world and then take the virtual twin to the shop floor during battery modules manufacturing. There is continuity between the data from the design stage to production.”
Another player looking to make regional air travel more sustainable is Deutsche Aircraft, whose next-generation turboprop, the D328eco®, is taking shape in the virtual world of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform. Powered by the platform, Deutsche Aircraft is accelerating every stage of the journey, from design and testing to certification and production.
“Our engineers and test pilots are already flying the aircraft virtually,” said Deutsche Aircraft CEO Nico Neumann. “The virtual twin helps us carry out testing on the ground and reduce risk in our flight test campaigns.”
Education fueling advances in aviation
In the aerospace industry, the skills gap is real. But the future of flight depends on the workforce of the future and institutions of higher education around the world are joining forces with Dassault Systèmes to give students the hands-on experiences that reflect the pace and complexity of the industry.
Enjoy these stories from institutes and universities from five different countries on four different continents.
Industrial Innovation Center for the Aerospace Sector of the Bajío (CIAA Bajío)
CIIA Bajío, a recognized 3DEXPERIENCE Edu Center of Excellence in Mexico, is supporting the next generation of engineers by bridging the gap between education and industry needs. Here, hands-on learning prepares students for their future careers by using the same state-of-the-art digital technologies used by the world’s leading aerospace companies.
“The aim of this institution is to train students so they are capable of solving problems in industry,” said José Armando Rodriguez Cerros, technical instructor at CIIA Bajío. “One of the characteristics that sets us apart is the use of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, which is used widely in many companies.”
At Zhongfa Aviation Institute, students don’t just sit in lectures, they’re immersed in a hands-on education that reflects the pace and complexity of China’s fast-growing civil aviation industry. Working in a high-tech virtual environment powered by Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, the students design aircraft, optimize flight route planning and test real-world airport scenarios using the same industry applications as the industry’s key players.
“Our students study a range of specializations around mechanics, flight control and aviation management,” said Prof. Kang Rui, chief scientist at Zongfa’s Smart Aviation Center. “In the real world, all these disciplines must work together. Dassault Systèmes’ solutions make this integration possible, bringing students from different backgrounds together to collaborate on real-world challenges as a team.”
University of Southern Queensland
Composite materials have revolutionized aerospace with their strength, lightness and durability, but their complex structure makes repairs challenging. Researchers at the University of South Queensland’s Centre for Future Materials are tackling this using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to streamline and customize composite repairs. Collaborating with MEMKO and Boeing Australia, they aim to make repairs faster and more efficient.
“We’re backed by the Australian Government’s iLAuNCH Trailblazer program, which aims to address critical skill gaps and accelerate the development of the country’s space sector,” said Dr. Tristan Shelley, a senior research fellow with CFM. “This project is seen as an enabler for both the aerospace and space sectors, where reusability and repair are essential to helping drive down operational costs.”
National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR)
At Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR), companies can test out new materials, processes and manufacturing methods at NIAR’s Advanced Technologies Lab for Aerospace Systems (ATLAS). The lab acts as a makerspace for industry and a training ground for new engineers.
“Once you figure out the particular machine configuration, you can design your factory without making any capital expenditure prior to prototyping,” said Waruna Seneviratne, director of NIAR ATLAS. “We have this mutually beneficial partnership with Dassault Systèmes to develop tools, bring down cost, and continually improve the manufacturing process.”
The University of Sheffield Advanced Manufacturing Research Center (AMRC)
Established in 2001, AMRC connects cutting-edge research in university labs and the day-to-day needs of businesses, particularly those in the UK’s aircraft industry. Meeting the needs of businesses and driving the next wave of innovation involves both delivering advanced insights to aircraft manufacturers and equipping the next generation of professionals with the skills they’ll need to excel in the sector. And that’s why AMRC renewed and expanded its partnership with Dassault Systèmes.
“Our renewed partnership will enable us to deliver on our mission to achieve even better outcomes for the industry,” said Stephen Beecher, senior sector engagement manager for aerospace at AMRC. “This is crucial as the A&D industry moves away from traditional manufacturing techniques and a reliance on manual labor, and towards a future that capitalizes on automation and robotics. Manufacturers need to create a digital thread across their entire operations and ecosystems – and the Dassault Systèmes’ portfolio will facilitate that.”
Suppliers digitalizing to meet rising demands
We’re not the only ones who don’t make planes. Neither does Aciturri. Nor Latecoere. Not Jamco, SABCA or Spirit AeroSystems either. But these suppliers are all stepping up their games and using state-of-the-art solutions to meet rising demands necessitated by the future of flight.
Learn how digital solutions are helping these five aerospace suppliers execute with speed and precision.
Aciturri, a Spanish aerostructure supplier, develops airframe components for commercial and defense jets and is now expanding into electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. To meet rising demands and improve project planning, Aciturri implemented the Ready for Rate industry solution. This helped them cut aerostructure delivery times in half and secure customer trust. The company also uses advanced digital simulation solutions to pitch and plan projects with speed and precision.
“We are long-time CATIA V5 users; so, we have a huge existing database of 3D models of parts, tools, machines, industrial media, and more,” said Eduardo Cid, an industrialization manager at Aciturri. “We wanted to manage all of our data and processes in a single environment, ensuring that everyone is working on the latest designs and enabling more effective change management. That’s why we decided to move to the 3DEXPERIENCE® platform.”
As a leading supplier of aircraft interiors, Jamco creates custom bathrooms, galleys and seating for major airlines and original equipment manufacturers (OEMs). To simplify this complex process, Jamco adopted Dassault Systèmes’ virtual twin as a service (VTaaS).
This technology projects a realistic mockup onto the walls and floor of a virtual reality environment. Users can interact with the virtual space—reaching for handles, inspecting finishes and testing layouts—without touching a physical part.
“Most of our products are made to order, tailored to each customer’s specifications,” said Hiroshi Sakurai, deputy general manager at Jamco’s Technology and Innovation Center. “In the past, changes would be requested even though production had already started, which is common in any development process. With the virtual twin, they can review and sign off designs much earlier. This helps us avoid late-stage rework, shorten lead times and streamline manufacturing.”
Spirit AeroSystems
A major US supplier of aerostructures for commercial, defense and business aircraft, Spirit AeroSystemsis embedding smart factory technologies into production lines and guiding workers with AR at every stage, helping build aircraft parts with the utmost precision.
“DELMIA Augmented Experience is a key enabler of our digital modernization strategy,” said Sean Black, president, chief technology officer and chief engineer at Spirit AeroSystems.
“By integrating augmented reality and virtual twin technology in our operations, we’re creating a more seamless product lifecycle. This improves accuracy, increases quality, reduces rework, and enhances collaboration across our teams.
Latecoere, a leading aerospace supplier, ensures zero-defect manufacturing by leveraging DELMIA Augmented Experience from Dassault Systèmes. This AR solution provides digital instructions to assist shop floor operators with quality inspections.
“What sets Latecoere apart is its ability to deliver complete products by integrating the expertise of all three divisions,” said Grégory Marrocco, aerostructures industrial system digitalization manager at Latecoere. “We’re not just an equipment manufacturer; we design and build the structures, equip them via our interconnection systems division and then support the products through our services arm.”
SABCA, short for Société Anonyme Belge de Constructions Aéronautiques, is a Belgian company that develops actuators for major clients like Airbus, the European Space Agency and Lockheed Martin. Using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform to centralize all engineering bill of materials (eBOM) and manufacturing bill of materials (mBOM) data, SABCA has improved both efficiency and collaboration.
“It was essential to choose a state-of-the-art solution as it will be something we rely on for the next 10 years, or even longer,” said Miguel Laduron, chief information officer of Orizio Group, SABCA’s parent company. “Dassault Systèmes’ platform was the most scalable and would give us the most scope for the future.”
Taking the flight path less traveled
For these three innovators, the future of flight means thinking differently. A nearly billion-dollar Indian company designing every component of its drones in-house. A California company using different shapes and composite materials to create the world’s first transonic super-laminar aircraft. A Vermont-based outfit that’s not just designing electric aircraft, but also the infrastructure and training programs needed to support it.
Learn more about Raphe, Otto and BETA Technologies.
India-based Raphe mPhibr (Raphe) isn’t your average unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) developer. Instead of incremental progress, Raphe set out to rethink aerospace design from the ground up. Not only that – they’ve resolved to design and manufacture everything in-house, from the new engines and airframes to microcontrollers. And it’s made possible thanks to the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
“Designing and manufacturing a drone is nothing less than designing and manufacturing a whole aircraft,” said Vikash Mishra, founder and chairman of Raphe mPhibr. “The kind of drones we are manufacturing have 20,000 to 30,000 parts. We needed the best software to help us create our vision. Because it’s only when you can show what you can do, that the world will believe it.”
California startup Otto Aviation is revolutionizing business air travel with the Phantom 3000, a transonic super-laminar aircraft. Traveling at nearly 500 mph (805 km/h) while using 60% less fuel than traditional planes, it cuts carbon emissions to levels comparable to electric vehicles.
The secret? Sustained laminar flow. Using the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, Otto optimized aircraft design for fluid airflow and developed precision manufacturing techniques using advanced carbon-fiber materials that reduce friction.
“Because we’re a startup, we essentially have a clean slate to use all of the solutions offered by Dassault Systèmes to create a robust digital enterprise,” said Scott Drennan, president and chief operating officer of Otto Aviation. “What I love about our partnership with Dassault Systèmes is that they understand where startups are coming from, and that’s a big deal to us. When a larger entity stands behind us as a startup, it gives us the courage to move forward and know that we can accomplish our goals.”
Vermont-based BETA Technologies is revolutionizing electric air travel by going beyond aircraft development. Alongside creating their ALIA VTOL and ALIA CTOL aircraft, they’re building a charging network, immersive pilot training simulators and educational programs for future engineers. Their holistic approach integrates engineering, design and production using Dassault Systèmes’ aerospace solutions.
“We quickly learned that designing an electric aircraft is a complex holistic process – this requires a collaborative and highly integrated product development software environment,” said Jesse Cannon, BETA’s Product Lifecycle Management systems lead. “With Dassault Systèmes’ portfolio, we get an industry-leading solution with plenty of scope to grow with as we achieve BETA’s goals.”
Dassault Systèmes offers solutions for many segments within the aerospace and defense industry, including Commercial Aviation, Aerospace & Defense Suppliers, Space, Defense, Aerospace Propulsion, Airports and Airlines.
Like Dassault Systèmes transformed industry with 3D, today we’re enhancing how we represent our with generative experiences and 3D UNIVERSES. Our latest generation of solutions combines modeling, simulation, real-world evidence and AI-generated content to empower our customers through the premier knowledge and know-how platform – the 3DEXPERIENCE platform.
Find all the latest A&D content on the 3DS Blog and check out the dedicated aerospace and defense resource center for the latest publications about customers and industry solutions.
Patrick BallPatrick is a Senior Communications Manager on the Corporate Publishing team here at Dassault Systèmes. An experienced journalist, marketer, speechwriter and storyteller, Patrick's words have appeared on pages and stages around the world.