CAD for the defense industry

Defence industry implies an integration of complex systems in their production. This process is simplified by the performance of CAD software, which plays an essential role in the production and manufacture of parts for this industry. Through this, engineers can elaborate sophisticated systems such as military vehicles, plane motors or spatial systems. CAD has become a must-have enterprise tool optimising the design, coordination and implementation of military systems, which are faced with pressures unique to this sector. In addition to meeting complex customer needs, the aim of CAD and its functions is to provide real added value to the work of engineers on the ground, to improve the safety, efficiency and performance of the armed forces.

The design of complex systems in various sectors

The new technologies inherent in the defence industry require advanced studies of the systems to be designed, high-quality engineering, technical skills and secure data processing and management. Siemens' NX software offers solutions for the various sectors of the defence and aerospace industry:

1.  Aircraft engines
   
   Every engineer and technician working at the aircraft engine production station is faced with the need to improve the performance of technologies. Companies in the aeronautics sector are responsible for a digital production process that has to be competitive. In response to the complexity of the systems to be integrated into engines, tight manufacturing deadlines, increasing challenges and changing customer priorities, NX from Siemens offers its customers three effective solutions:
   
   1. Shifting manufacturing considerations earlier in the product life cycle
   2. Integrated program planning and implementation
   3. Design and additive manufacturing
   
    
2. Aircraft and airframes
   
   Digital CAD, CAM and PLM package optimises safety and performance levels of the aircraft model designed, and helps to overcome the time and budget pressures imposed on engineers. Siemens' NX software has made it possible to design a complete range of aircraft, in partnership with Piper Aircraft, a real success in particular for the technical performance of the turboprops. Siemens provides a non-exhaustive list of solutions for aircraft design: software and engineering data management, intellectual property protection, export control and assembly manufacturing engineering.
   
    
3. Avionics and defence electronics
   
   Military aircraft manufacturers must ensure the continuous development of defence avionics and electronics systems, considering the growth in performance inherent in the sector. Their challenge is to embark on a design and production process that meets performance and quality requirements, all this under constant budgetary and time pressure. The engineer must be able to make the products functional as quickly as possible, preferably on the first try. The 3D VR dome driven by Teamcenter is an example of a combat system developed thanks to Siemens. It enables better management of decision-making in the field and better conflict resolution through life-size visualisation. Modifications and animations of objects are directly reflected into the CAD software for study purposes.
   
    
4. Ground systems
   
   International conflicts push companies to develop defence systems and performance technologies. One of the solutions that CAD provides to meet the growing needs of customers is the production and manufacture of composite materials in land systems. It enables engineers to establish rapid and reliable development of strong, lightweight components and sub-systems for land systems, while taking into account vehicle fuel consumption.