Case Study: Airbus Helicopters achieves over 500 kg weight savings per aircraft with Altair ProductDesign

Reducing Aircraft Weight by 500kg

Airbus Helicopters faced the critical challenge of reducing airframe weight to improve fuel efficiency and lower CO2 emissions without compromising performance. They engaged Altair — through Altair ProductDesign and its OptiStruct optimization technology — to remove mass from the aircraft’s leading‑edge wing ribs.

Altair implemented a two‑step process using OptiStruct’s topology, sizing and shape optimization to identify ideal material layouts for 13 wing ribs, then translated those topology results into manufacturable designs. The Altair solution produced an innovative rib design that delivered more than 500 kg of weight savings per aircraft and enabled tighter integration of design, manufacturing and supply‑chain capabilities.

Airbus Helicopters