EADS, one of the world's largest aerospace and defense manufacturers, and ANSYS, Inc. (NASDAQ: ANSS) have today announced that they've signed a master agreement.

EADS uses ANSYS® technology across all its divisions for structural mechanics, fluid dynamics and electromagnetics simulation to perform, among other applications, virtual testing of composite materials, aerodynamics optimization, thermal management, and signal integrity validation on products ranging from aircraft to helicopters to space launchers to defense systems.

"EADS and ANSYS have been collaborating for about 15 years already and this agreement strengthens our relationship," said Robert Harwood, aerospace and defense industry director, ANSYS. "As EADS leverages ANSYS advanced simulation tools, it provides us with deep insight into what the industry as a whole needs to solve its challenging engineering problems — which we can then incorporate into ongoing product development. As a result of such collaboration, ANSYS tools have grown from an engineering solution into a business strategy."