Immersive engineering: Next generation cargo aircraft

A distinctive blended-wing-body design, extensive use of lightweight carbon composites, and an innovative “Diamond” cargo bay: aircraft from Natilus is set to revolutionize supply chains worldwide. Because compared to traditional tube-and-wing planes, Natilus’ aircraft will be able to transport 1.5 times more cargo per flight while reducing fuel consumption by 50%. This represents a significant leap forward in sustainable air cargo. But that’s just the beginning, as Natilus has designed its aircraft to be compatible with sustainable aviation fuels and future hydrogen propulsion. Designing planes like these is of course challenging, as Natilus is breaking new ground in aviation. The aerospace company based in San Diego, California, has significantly accelerated its development processes by leveraging elements in the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio of industry software, like NX X and Teamcenter. As a result, Natilus engineers were able cut the time it took to build their first prototype in half. “Our work with Siemens and our adoption of the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio allow us to achieve the speed with which innovation needs to occur – and that helps us to remain agile, flexible, and reactive,” says Aleksey Matyushev, CEO and co-founder of Natilus.

Immersive design for more collaborative engineering

Natilus is also an early adopter of NX Immersive Designer. In combination with the new Sony XR Head Mounted Display, this immersive engineering solution employs augmented reality to enable engineers precise 3D interaction with their designs. They can access and work on their plans in-context with a fully immersive, infinite canvas – where the digital world becomes indistinguishable from the real world. The combination of NX Immersive Designer and Sony XR Head Mounted Display merges the real and digital worlds. With this technology duo, Siemens is bringing immersive engineering to the Industrial Metaverse. Customers like Natilus are now able to experience their Digital Twin in an immersive, interactive environment – they not only see their design but also experience it at scale in a whole new way. Aleksey Matyushev remembers the first time he used the headset to view a full-scale 85-foot aircraft in the Natilus hangar, which until then he and his colleagues knew only from their 2D CAD files: “The wow factor was huge. It was the first time we ever saw the scale of what we’re building.”

One big impact is that the design teams get a better understanding of each discipline’s work, which is the basis for a more collaborative approach to product engineering – that is, putting the pieces together in a more meaningful, cohesive way. A case in point is finding the most optimal paths for cable routing. In the end, a better design helps to avoid costly changes on the factory floor.

A boon to interaction with investors and customers

The Natilus team has also been using NX Immersive Designer and Sony XR Head Mounted Display to demonstrate to investors and customers the vastness, depth, and complexity of what they’re building. The technology is highly portable – all it takes is a laptop and a headset – so the immersive experience can be brought to wherever their audience may be.

Of course, there’s that wow factor Aleksey Matyushev and his team want to impart by presenting the physical scale of their aircraft in the virtual realm. But on a practical level, the solution makes it easier to answer questions, he says: “Suppose a customer wants to know about the cargo section. Instead of flipping through slides in CAD, we can bring in the headset and even demonstrate how container boxes could be moved in the cargo area.” In addition, he can give investors a tour of the Natilus facility and production line in San Diego, also fully virtually. The technology is helping to keep conversations energetic and make sales.

Software for a more sustainable aviation industry

Software from the Siemens Xcelerator portfolio is a key enabler for Natilus’ groundbreaking blended-wing-body aircraft, which is set to redefine the skies. For Siemens, it’s a badge of honor to be chosen as a trusted partner to help Natilus achieve its mission of revolutionizing the global air cargo industry.“We look forward to working with the team as they bring their innovative new aircraft to market,” says Todd Tuthill, Vice President for Aerospace and Defense, Siemens Digital Industries Software. “This project is an excellent example of how innovators and pioneers are adopting Siemens Xcelerator to build a more sustainable aviation industry.”

August 2024

Contact: Ben Widdowson

Natilus, San Diego, California, USA

Natilus was co-founded by Aleksey Matyushev and Anatoly Star in 2016 to commoditize the freight transport industry through innovation and advanced technology. The company’s mission is to make air cargo more efficient by cutting operational costs by 60% while increasing cargo volumes per flight, also by 60%. The effect is a 50% reduction in carbon emissions. Lower air freight costs with a smaller carbon footprint are likely to lower food costs, level the barriers in cross-border trade, and help connect low-infrastructure areas to the rest of the world.

The engineering-driven team of passionate experts has worked on more than 25 aircraft programs spanning commercial, military, and general aviation. Natilus is backed by leading investors and has partnered with top-tier airlines and suppliers.
Natilus