MSC Announces Major Tool for Calculating and Visualizing External Loads on Aircraft.

LOS ANGELES--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Oct. 22, 1998--

MSC/FlightLoads and Dynamics Dramatically Shortens

Design-to-Certification Process with Increased Data Accuracy

The MacNeal-Schwendler Corp. (MSC) has announced MSC/FlightLoads and Dynamics, a new tool for calculating and visualizing external loads on aircraft as well as flutter and dynamic loads.

The program was developed with input and collaboration from Boeing, Lockheed Martin, Northrop Grumman and other aerospace companies around the world.

MSC/FlightLoads allows engineers using UNIX or Windows NT workstations to visually depict loads on an aircraft in a master model, from the conceptual design through the detailed design phase. Aerospace engineers, as well as suppliers of major components and systems, will be able to use unified loads and aerodynamics models in both the internal and external load groups.

Historically, external loads calculations and internal stress computations were performed in different systems by different departments. The transfer of data from the external loads and dynamics engineers, who rely on the classic stick model, to the internal stress analysis engineers, who develop a much more complicated and detailed model, is cumbersome and time-consuming. This lengthy and clumsy process is prone to errors in translating data. With the MSC/FlightLoads and Dynamics master model, the calculations are done on the same system. The transfer of loads data between departments is dramatically faster and more accurate.

Used with MSC/NASTRAN stress and dynamics analysis and MSC/PATRAN pre- and postprocessing software, MSC/FlightLoads allows engineers to view and manipulate the aeroelastic model of an aircraft, which links aerodynamics and structural response. Developing a single aeroelastic model builds on research programs conducted by the U.S. Air Force research Laboratory's Air Vehicle Directorate and NASA Ames Research Center.

MSC/FlightLoads supports the development of engineering data from the conceptual to detailed design phase. Simple aerodynamic and structural models created in the conceptual design phase are easily updated and enhanced whenever more detailed representations are received. In addition, MSC/FlightLoads open architecture facilitates the integration of proprietary engineering tools.

Boeing and Lockheed Martin are using features from MSC/FlightLoads in developing their competing Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) candidates. In addition, Northrop Grumman is using it in developing an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV). The use of a single loads model for Boeing's X-32 JSF demonstrates the ability to shorten cycle times and lower costs.

"The need to cut costs, avoid expensive errors and compress the design cycle are driving the move toward a single model," said Mark Kenyon, MSC's director of aerospace business development. "Our customers are striving to improve their design-to-certification process while reducing product time to market."

Engineering data is expensive to measure and compute. MSC/FlightLoads makes it possible to reuse aerodynamic and structural response data for designing future derivative products and improve overall analysis throughput. "This capability enables our customers to shorten their vehicle design cycle time by greatly decreasing the time between external loads calculations and internal stress computations," Kenyon added.

Traditionally, the external loads on an aircraft's major structures are determined by a small group of engineers during the concept definition or preliminary design. These loads are then shared with a larger group who determines the internal loads. A third, even larger group of engineers designs components based on the work of the internal loads group. If the actual external loads differ significantly from the original estimates, costly design and tooling changes may be required.

The design of MSC/FlightLoads and Dynamics began two years ago through collaborative efforts between MSC and several major aerospace companies. As a result, MSC had a clear understanding of its customers' processes and product requirements. The workflow process typically found in the computation of external loads is emulated through the graphical user interface.

"MSC is leveraging its core modeling and simulation technologies upstream in the design process to provide our customers a tightly integrated structural design and validation process," said Jim Archer, MSC senior vice president, worldwide development. "Engineers throughout an organization, regardless of whether they are responsible for determining vehicle external loads or computing the internal stress, will use the same underlying software. Also, the enhancements we have made to our solver technology and the efficiencies of our modeling system allow these different engineering teams to share a common model."

The MacNeal-Schwendler Corp. (NYSE:MNS) is the world's leading supplier of mechanical computer-aided engineering (MCAE) solutions for the aerospace industry. MSC provides software, services, and strategies by partnering with customers to increase the performance of their aircraft, space vehicles and engines. MSC was founded in 1963, with origins in the aerospace industry. MSC develops MSC/NASTRAN, used for structural stress, vibration, thermal, and aeroelastic analysis and optimization.

MSC also develops MSC/PATRAN, which provides a software foundation for integrating commercial and in-house MCAE software applications. Both software products originated from the aerospace industry. MSC's solutions are provided to the aerospace, automotive and general manufacturing industries, with aerospace being MSC's largest market segment. MSC aerospace solutions are provided by offices throughout North America, Europe and Asia-Pacific. For more information about MSC's aerospace business, visit MSC's Web site: www.macsch.com/aerospace.

NASTRAN is a registered trademark of NASA. MSC, MSC/, PATRAN and MSC/PATRAN are registered trademarks of The MacNeal-Schwendler Corp. MSC/NASTRAN, MSC/FATIGUE and MSC/FlightLoads are trademarks of The MacNeal-Schwendler Corp. All other trademarks are the property of their registered owners.