Aeronautics
Embarking on innovation
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The aeronautics industry is at the forefront of innovation, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in the realm of air travel.
Driven by the need for faster, more efficient, and more comfortable flight, challenged by environmental constraints, aeronautics engineers are continuously exploring new technologies and materials to create the best possible product. From advanced materials and engines to cutting-edge avionics and navigation systems, the aeronautics industry is constantly striving to make air travel safer, more convenient and enjoyable.
Decarbonizing the future of aviation
The aeronautics industry has come under scrutiny in recent years for its CO2 emissions. Current projections estimate that demand for air transport in 2050 could exceed 10 billion passengers. To meet this demand in a sustainable fashion, the industry is making considerable efforts to move towards decarbonization, with a commitment to net-zero emissions by 2050. Hydrogen-powered aircraft, electrification and new fuels are just some of the innovative technologies that are expected to make this possible, together with design and engineering innovations and the improved industrial management of development cycles.
ALTEN, catalyzing transformation for customers worldwide
As a partner to most aeronautics industry stakeholders, ALTEN is driving the major projects currently taking place and helping shape the digital transformation of this industry. ALTEN’s unique market position also gives the company insider insights into new market entrants, alliances, and other major shifts that are changing the business environment.
ALTEN supports the transformation of its customers in the aeronautics industry by participating in their innovation strategy. The Group supports manufacturers and equipment suppliers in the deployment of new technologies, from the factory to the supply chain, as well as in customer service and airlines. With its expertise in business processes and digital technologies, ALTEN offers innovative solutions to aeronautics players, ranging from predictive maintenance to collaborative customer service platforms.
ALTEN in the Aeronautics industry
535M€
2023 turnover
+6,800
consultants
20
countries
4
domains of expertise in aeronautics: Manufacturer, Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM), Maintenance Repair & Operations (MRO), Operators
What are the market trends in the Aeronautic industry?
Aircraft manufacturers and subcontractors must increase their pace of production to meet the rise in air traffic and the modernisation of existing fleets. Digital transformation requires the deployment of new technologies (Big Data, IoT, augmented reality, etc.) at factory and supply chain levels to improve product quality, all while optimizing production costs.
Following a sharp drop in business in 2020, production is increasing again. Aircraft deliveries for Airbus and Boeing are reaching around 1,250 aircraft in 2023.
Challenges:
- Increasing production rates
- Controlling supply on all production lines
- Ramping up Airbus suppliers
- Deploying Industry 4.0 processes, tools, methods and technology
- Acquiring and integrating new skills (digital, data science, networks, etc.)
The aeronautics sector intends to take advantage of digital transformation to optimize its internal processes by adopting an end-to-end approach (engineering, manufacturing, maintenance, decision-making, etc.) and by creating new services, a source of additional revenue.
Airbus believes that it will be able to develop an aircraft twice as quickly thanks to digital continuity (with a new PLM approach). Skywise, Airbus’s data platform, is already used by several airlines, with more than a thousand connected aircrafts and a declared objective of 0 AOG (Aircraft on Ground).
Challenges:
- Combining business knowledge and digital skills
- Structuring and interconnecting data sources to render them more useful
- Succeeding in managing change within the company (scaled agile, end-to-end…)
Aircraft manufacturers are preparing the aircraft of the future -more fuel-efficient, quieter, less polluting and smart- rather than starting a new project from zero.
As an example, the Falcon 10X, from Dassault Aviation, is powered by business aviation’s most advanced and efficient engine making it 5% more efficient than previous generations, with outstanding low-noise and emissions performance.
Furthermore, to make the Falcon smarter, Dassault Aviation has also developed new military technology, named FalconEye® Combined Vision System. It provides flight crew unprecedented situational awareness in all weather conditions, day or night and guidance on approaches before the runway is sighted.
Challenges:
- Reducing the “time to market” by optimizing development schedules
- Integrating electric propulsion (hybrid propulsion, electric drive mode, etc.)
- Ensuring the continuity of smart services for passengers (from the airport to the aircraft)
- Introducing new materials and new manufacturing techniques (e.g.: 3D printing)
ALTEN VALUE PROPOSITION
ALTEN’s functional sectors
- Aerostructure (design, stress, DMU integration)
- Cabin
- System design (avionics, maintenance, electrics, landing gear, propulsion)
- Software development
- Testing
- Process (configuration, MBSE, certification, airworthiness)
- Work preparation: routings, industrial process design, jigs & tools
- Manufacturing Engineering performance: Operational excellence, lean/6 sigma
- Logistics
- Quality
- Supply chain & Supply chain quality
- Engineering & Maintenance
- Technical docs & service bulletins
- Training & Flight ops
- Operation & services
- Customer digital solutions
- Digital transformation
- PLM integration project
- Development applications (cloud SW, Portal)
- Infrastructure & cloud
- Extended enterprise
- Digital workspace
- Cybersecurity
Our Success Stories
As the market focuses on the roadmap to net-zero by 2050 – exploring electrification, sustainable aviation fuel and hydrogen to power planes – ALTEN is partnering with one of the world’s largest commercial aircraft manufacturers, playing an active part in building tomorrow’s aviation.
FAST, the cockpit platform, developed by ALTEN, is entering a new phase of development. The platform aims to provide a comprehensive solution for cockpit management, integrating various technologies and systems. With this new milestone, FAST is poised to enhance cockpit operations’ efficiency and functionality.
A major aircraft manufacturer wants to deploy a digital dashboard to interface with the different lines of business in order to optimize the scheduling of all the activities on a final assembly line (FAL). By combining several expert skills in manufacturing and BI (Business Intelligence), ALTEN accompanied the client’s production teams in preparing data and provided support in defining the specifications of this digital tool.
ALTEN oversees supply management for all the mechanical and structural parts for a global leader in civilian and military helicopters production in France and Germany. A disruptive strategy and a mature nearshore organization has allowed it to reduce supply management costs by 30% and deliver a high standard of service (e.g.: OTD>95%, reduction in missing parts and stock).
OUR CLIENTS
Aircraft manufacturer
Airbus Group, Dassault Aviation, Raytheon
Boeing
Aircraft equipment manufacturer
Rolls Royce, Safran Group, Thales Group, Liebherr, Airbus Atlantic…
Spirit Aerospace
