Dassault Systèmes, the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, world leader in 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, today announced that Airbus Helicopters, a division of Airbus Group, has chosen Dassault Systèmes' “Build to Operate” industry solution experience for more efficient and profitable manufacturing operations management of its helicopter programs.

Airbus Helicopters is the world's leading manufacturer of civil and military helicopters. The company recently engaged in a global plan to better serve customers that involves replacing legacy operating systems with state-of-the-art digital capabilities. As part of this digital transformation, Airbus Helicopters was specifically looking for a powerful factory planning and shop-floor solution that would reduce its time-to-market and improve operational efficiency.

The “Build to Operate” industry solution experience is specifically tailored for the aerospace and defense industry and leverages the DELMIA Apriso manufacturing portfolio. With “Build to Operate,” Airbus Helicopters can monitor, control and validate all aspects of manufacturing operations with digital precision—ranging from replicable processes and production sequences, to the flow of deliverables throughout their supply chain.

Airbus Helicopters can virtually model, plan, execute and share best practices, processes and products throughout the design, engineering, manufacturing and delivery of existing and new helicopters. With process simulation and validation in a virtual manufacturing environment, the company can define and implement lean manufacturing practices to improve program performance.

“We adopted Dassault Systèmes' 'Build to Operate' industry solution experience, part of the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, to improve manufacturing execution for our helicopters programs,” said Jean-Luc Sturlèse, Vice President, Production Flows Management, Airbus Helicopters. “With 'Build to Operate,' we can cut and optimize our lead time and improve operational efficiency, an important competitive advantage since orders for new machines are steadily increasing.”

Global production, quality, labor and supply chains—which once operated in silos—are now synchronized with a coordinated flow of data. From sourcing basic components and subassembly to the final assembly line, one common digital platform provides real-time visibility and control to optimize business processes. Digital factory analytics let Airbus Helicopters evaluate the impact of engineering changes and quickly resolve production problems.

“Airbus helicopters are highly intricate machines that require precision manufacturing and support by a complex set of suppliers and intellectual property,” said Michel Tellier, Vice President, Aerospace & Defense Industry, Dassault Systèmes. “With 'Build to Operate,' we provide Airbus Helicopters with digital continuity throughout manufacturing, starting with operations controls through to lean shop-floor execution, to positively impact their bottom line.”