The aerospace sector is undergoing continuous growth, driven by the rise of commercial aviation, freight transport and emerging advanced air mobility solutions such as drones, unmanned aerial vehicles, vertical takeoff and landing vehicles. These novel solutions present new challenges when it comes to managing airspace and ensuring safe and efficient operations.
The ASCEND (Aerospace Safety-Certifiable Engineering and Networked Development) project applies Model-Based Systems Engineering (MBSE), Model-Based Safety Analysis (MBSA), and digital engineering technologies to improve prevention, safety, and efficiency in aircraft development and is a consortium project led by Boeing Research & Technology together with Anzen Engineering, Clue Technologies and DLTCode.
ASCEND will develop new digital engineering methodologies, adjusting to industry regulations and improving standardization across the aerospace ecosystem. The aim is to accelerate the adoption of technology throughout the sector. By modernizing design, verification and prevention processes, ASCEND will be able to strengthen Europe’s position in terms of innovation and competitiveness in the aerospace sector. The project aims to create a scalable methodology for the entire industry, which will be beneficial for both participants and the entire aerospace community.
ASCEND is part of Boeing’s broader digital engineering research program: Integrated Model-Based Methods and Tools (iMBMT). The iMBMT program focuses on developing advanced model-based methodologies and tools to improve quality, efficiency, speed, and cost-effectiveness of future aircraft design and manufacturing processes. ASCEND complements iMBMT by fostering critical collaboration with external organizations in the fields of systems engineering, prevention, and safety, all viewed through the lens of digital engineering.
The Community of Madrid co-finances more than 50% of the ASCEND 2024 CONSORTIUM thanks to the aid program to contribute to the improvement of public-private cooperation in R&D&i and the FEDER (European Regional Development Fund) operational program. The project is valued at almost five million euros.
