Altair has announced a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Wichita State University’s National Institute for Aviation Research (NIAR) to promote innovation in aerospace and defense technologies. According to the announcement, the collaboration aims to enhance the development, testing, and certification of aircraft and advanced air mobility vehicles through the use of advanced simulation and data analytics.

The companies mentioned that the partnership will focus on integrating NIAR’s certification by analysis (CBA) methodologies with Altair’s digital twin and simulation tools. This integration is expected to streamline design, testing, and optimization processes, reducing the reliance on costly physical prototypes.

In addition, aerospace and defense startups working with NIAR will gain prioritized access to Altair’s platforms and training resources. This support is designed to accelerate their product development, testing, certification, and production processes.

The collaboration will also explore applications of digital twin technology across various areas, including maintenance, additive manufacturing, robotics, and defense systems, providing broader opportunities for innovation in the aerospace sector.

Pietro Cervellera, Senior Vice President of Aerospace and Defense at Altair, emphasized that the partnership combines expertise to help companies and startups innovate faster, lower costs, and bring products to market more efficiently. John Tomblin, Executive Vice President for Research and Industry and Defense Programs at Wichita State University, noted that the agreement offers students, researchers, and clients access to world-class tools, accelerating the development of next-generation aerospace technologies.

According to the announcement, the MoU marks a significant step toward fostering a more efficient and sustainable aerospace industry by leveraging advanced simulation, digital twin technology, and support for emerging companies.