How modern flow simulation optimizes flying wing designs

CAE How modern flow simulation optimizes flying wing designs

2025-04-07 Source: Altair | Translated by AI 2 min Reading Time

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Altair and Jet Zero, a company dedicated to developing the world's first commercial flying wing, have joined forces to advance innovations in aerospace.

With the help of simulation and AI technology, Jet Zero optimizes the design of its flying wing.(Image: Jet Zero) — With the help of simulation and AI technology, Jet Zero optimizes the design of its flying wing.
(Image: Jet Zero)

Jet Zero's flying wing aircraft promises greater fuel efficiency, longer range, and a lighter, more aerodynamic design compared to conventional commercial aircraft. Solely through the aircraft's design, Jet Zero anticipates a reduction in fuel consumption and associated emissions of more than 50 percent. Jet Zero uses Altair Flight-Stream—part of the Altair Hyperworks design and simulation platform—to conduct computational fluid dynamics (CFD) simulations, reduce calculation costs, drive innovation, and shorten time-to-market.

Jet Zero's vision is to reshape aviation and usher in a more efficient and sustainable aerospace industry— and we share this vision.

Pietro Cervellera, Senior Vice President of Aerospace and Defense, Altair

The gap between CFD simulation and design

Altair's solutions help Jet Zero efficiently solve conceptual design challenges for aerodynamic surfaces and structures.(Image: Altair) — Altair's solutions help Jet Zero efficiently solve conceptual design challenges for aerodynamic surfaces and structures.
(Image: Altair)

Altair's solutions help Jet Zero bridge the gap between highly accurate CFD simulation and design, enabling Jet Zero to solve conceptual and preliminary design challenges related to aerodynamic surfaces and structures more quickly and efficiently. The computing speed and low hardware requirements of Flight-Stream—combined with an optimized user interface and a robust aerodynamic solver—make it an invaluable tool for rapid design iterations in the early phase and for detailed aerodynamic studies, it says.

With Flight-Stream and other tools from the Altair portfolio, our team can perform simulations within a tighter timeframe, at a larger scale, and with the simplicity we need to transform an industry. The Z4 aircraft is unstoppable, and Altair helps us shape the future of aviation.

Tom O'Leary,Co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Jet Zero

Why Flying Wings Promise More Efficiency

Blended-wing airplanes differ from conventional fuselage-wing designs in that the aircraft's wings seamlessly merge into the fuselage, allowing all fuselage surfaces to generate lift and minimize drag. A wider fuselage also increases interior space, which enhances the passenger experience or maximizes payload for a cargo version. The blended-wing fuselage is a more efficient structure that reduces weight and noise compared to traditional aircraft designs. Since the engines are mounted on the top side of the fuselage, the engine noise during takeoff and landing is directed upwards, reducing noise pollution for communities near the airport. Jet Zero plans the first full-size flight in 2027.

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Date: 08.12.2025

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