Using the Digital Ecosystem for Future Programs
Revolutionizing the way we do business.
Leveraging Digital Engineering Drives Down Costs and Schedule for Future Aircraft Programs
Northrop Grumman's fully digital engineering ecosystem reduces engineering rework, accelerates schedule and saves costs for customers on future aircraft programs. Leveraging real-world experiences gained on programs including the B-21 Raider, we are evolving our fully collaborative digital ecosystem which connects the company, customers and supplier partners in the design, development and test on a variety of current and future efforts.
Northrop Grumman leveraged our digital ecosystem and additive manufacturing capabilities to build wing assemblies for the Scaled Composites' Model 437 technology demonstrator. Customer requirements and design parts of the aircraft were delivered through the digital ecosystem. From there, Northrop Grumman and supplier partners analyzed, built, and tested the aircraft parts ahead of the Model 437's first flight.
![Fully Connected Digital Ecosystem infographic](https://cdn.northropgrumman.com/-/jssmedia/Project/Northrop-Grumman/ngc/what-we-do/air/using-the-digital-ecosystem-for-future-programs/Fully-Connected-Digital-Ecosystem-infographic-002.png?mw=3840&rev=0550fc77701440cd9ea7ba916ec05f01)
Discovering the Benefits of a Fully Connected Digital Ecosystem
Image Gallery
All images shown below are available to download in high resolution. All images courtesy of Northrop Grumman. All rights reserved.
Northrop Grumman demonstrated how its fully digital engineering ecosystem reduces engineering rework, accelerates schedule and saves costs for future aircraft programs following the first flight of the Scaled Composites Model 437 technology demonstrator on Aug. 29, 2024.
Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman
Scaled Composites' Model 437 with wing assemblies designed and built through Northrop Grumman's digital ecosystem and additive manufacturing capabilities.
Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman
Scaled Composites' Model 437 with wing assemblies designed and built through Northrop Grumman's digital ecosystem and additive manufacturing capabilities.
Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman
Scaled Composites' Model 437 with wing assemblies designed and built through Northrop Grumman's digital ecosystem and additive manufacturing capabilities.
Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman
Workers install wing assemblies designed and built via Northrop Grumman's digital ecosystem and additive manufacturing capabilities.
Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman
Workers install wing assemblies designed and built via Northrop Grumman's digital ecosystem and additive manufacturing capabilities.
Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman
Workers prepare the Model 437’s fuselage for the installation of wing assemblies designed and built via Northrop Grumman’s digital ecosystem and additive manufacturing capabilities.
Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman
Wing assemblies designed and built via Northrop Grumman's digital ecosystem and additive manufacturing capabilities are transported to Scaled Composites' Mojave, Calif. site.
Photo Credit: Northrop Grumman
Media Contact
Ed Salinas
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571-355-5349