Troy-based Altair Acquires GE Aviation Simulation Solution

Altair in Troy, which provides software and cloud solutions for simulation, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence, has acquired Flow Simulator from GE Aviation in Ohio, an operating unit of General Electric Co. in Boston.
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Flow Simulator
Altair has acquired Flow Simulator, an integrated flow, heat transfer, and combustion design software, from GE Aviation. // Image courtesy of Altair

Altair in Troy, which provides software and cloud solutions for simulation, high-performance computing, and artificial intelligence, has acquired Flow Simulator from GE Aviation in Ohio, an operating unit of General Electric Co. in Boston.

Flow Simulator is an integrated flow, heat transfer, and combustion design software that enables mixed fidelity simulations to optimize machine and systems design. Terms of the deal were not disclosed.

So called system-level design has become increasingly important as organizations must simulate complex duty cycles. Fast software solutions such as Flow Simulator can model an entire system in applications such as rotating machinery design, electromobility, wind turbines, heat exchangers, and other technology that encompasses thermal management.

GE Aviation developed Flow Simulator to serve as a fast flow network simulator for aircraft engines, simulating how an entire flight cycle would behave in the real world, from takeoff to landing. It has been used to simplify modeling for a variety of thermal systems applications including in health care, locomotives, and renewable energy.

“We successfully collaborated with GE Aviation for many years on several initiatives including rotor dynamics using Altair OptiStruct, which opened doors for new opportunities to work together,” says James R. Scapa, founder and CEO of Altair. “Utilizing Altair’s simulation and AI-driven approach to innovation, there is great potential to expand Flow Simulator’s capabilities and make it available to new industries focused on simulating systems models including automotive, electromobility, battery, defense, and renewable energy.”

As part of the acquisition, Altair and GE Aviation have signed a memorandum of understanding to facilitate collaboration and establish a long-term partnership. The relationship will include Altair’s continuous development of Flow Simulator, granting GE Aviation access to Altair’s software suite, and executive engagement between the companies to establish deeper strategic alignment and pursue new ventures.

“Altair will bring Flow Simulator’s capability to simplify the modeling of complex thermal systems to new industries,” says Arjan Hegeman, senior executive of technology at GE Aviation. “This will expand global technical capabilities. Concurrently, GE Aviation and Altair will continue developing Flow Simulator together, with even more advanced simulation technologies and design tools that will continue to expand its capabilities for a broader base of users.”

Prior to acquiring the technology, Altair was a commercial distributor of Flow Simulator.

GE Aviation is a provider of jet and turboprop engines, components, integrated digital, avionics, electrical power, and mechanical systems for commercial, military, business, and general aviation aircraft.