In a recent news, Siemens Digital Industries has announced that Lockheed Martin Aeronautics has selected the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of software and services to support its digital transformation.
Leading aerospace companies have been adopting new processes, technologies in order to maintain output at the highest levels. In order to meet business objectives, Lockheed Martin was looking to deliver new programs faster at a much lower cost. The Xcelerator portfolio and the emphasis on the digital twin and the digital thread was chosen for its powerful, competitive advantage.
An extensive evaluation
Lockheed conducted a thorough evaluation to investigate who in the marketplace could deliver the technology and processes required to address their business challenges and objectives. A cross-discipline team was assembled internally to evaluate available technologies and solutions against internal processes and best practices.
In reviewing the Xcelerator portfolio, everything from advanced design, electrical systems design, wing design, fuel systems design, manufacturing, as well as product and maintenance support was considered.
After a rigorous process, they concluded the unified Xcelerator approach to the digital thread was the solution that best fit their objectives and end goals — a dramatic reduction in cycle time that would enable teams to deliver new products and capabilities faster, as well as manage costs better.
Moving forward
The commitment from Lockheed Martin extends to all new programs to support their full life cycle processes, from engineering to manufacturing, to field support. In addition, they’re looking at how to improve collaboration with their suppliers and supply chain management.
News of the Lockheed Martin shift to the Siemens Digital Industries Xcelerator platform is likely to make waves that rock the industry for some time. As the leading developer and manufacturer in the aerospace and defense industry, the financial investment from Lockheed is sure to have an effect upon contractors and vendors throughout the industry.
This of course follows the news that Teamcenter, the PLM system that acts as the heart of the digital platform, having been adopted by the U.S. Airforce as the new standard for collaborative data management. With nearly half of Lockheed’s annual sales being made to the U.S. Department of Defense, it is easy to see why giants like Lockheed Martin and Northrop Grumman have followed suit.
Lockheed Martin has been utilizing Teamcenter PLM software (in addition to other Siemens products) for data management for some time, but previously, CAD design was being done in Dassault’s CATIA.