NASA Unveils Aviary: A Cutting-Edge Digital Modeling Tool for Aircraft Design

NASA has introduced a groundbreaking digital modeling software named Aviary, designed to revolutionize how engineers simulate and visualize future aircraft concepts. Announced on Friday, Aviary allows for the detailed digital creation of aircraft based on various characteristics such as shape and range, enabling extensive virtual testing of new technologies in aviation.

Developed from NASA’s legacy software—the Flight Optimization System and the General Aviation Synthesis Program—Aviary addresses the limitations of older codes that did not support modern aircraft design elements, like hybrid-electric systems. These older systems treated aircraft components as more isolated than they are in today’s advanced designs.

Jennifer Gratz, who leads the integration and development of Aviary, highlighted its capability to adapt to contemporary aeronautical engineering needs. “The older legacy codes were not equipped to handle modern-day concepts such as hybrid-electric aircraft. They viewed certain systems as more separated than they really are in the vehicles we envision now,” Gratz explained.

A significant advantage of Aviary is its accessibility; NASA has made the software available for free to aeronautical engineers worldwide. It is hosted on GitHub, along with its core documentation, ensuring that it is easily accessible for further development and use in the engineering community.

Gratz emphasized the flexibility of Aviary, stating, “Aviary is flexible enough that you can decide what you want to learn more about, then configure it to teach you.” This user-defined adaptability makes it an invaluable tool for engineers looking to push the boundaries of aircraft design with innovative technologies.

By providing a sophisticated tool that supports the integration of new technologies into aircraft designs, NASA’s Aviary is set to make significant contributions to the future of aeronautics, facilitating a deeper understanding and implementation of advanced design concepts in the aerospace industry.

Sources: AirGuide Business airguide.info, bing.com, executivegov.com