IBM and Dassault Systèmes in October announced that Northrop Grumman, one of the world's largest defence and aerospace companies, has selected their PLM solutions and services to design, build and manage the United States Navy's advanced, 21st-century surface combatant programme, the DD(X).

The group will use Catia V5, the world's leading 3D product-development application; and Enovia life cycle applications (LCA), for product data and lifecycle management and decision support; and is considering using Delmia for digital factory and manufacturing processes development and operations support.

Northrop Grumman and its partners will deploy nearly 600 licences of Catia V5 and Enovia, whereby the US Navy, Northrop Grumman, its primary suppliers and other contributors to the project will jointly develop new ship designs in a secure, collaborative environment. With a DELMIA implementation, design can be leveraged to integrate and simulate the manufacturing processes of the various suppliers' parts.

The DD(X) is the centrepiece of the US Navy's technological transformation and is the cornerstone programme for a new family of surface combatants to be designed and built over the next 25 years. The DD(X) programme includes 10 transformational technologies and the design and construction of new destroyers. These technologies will be utilised in the development of future combatants, as well as technology to be retrofitted into today's existing fleet of Aegis-equipped cruisers and destroyers. The US Navy plans to develop the DD(X) fleet over the next four years, with detailed design starting in 2005 and with the lead ship entering service in 2011.

IBM Global Services will provide project management, implementation, and integration services, and implementation of product design best practices based on IBM and Dassault Systèmes' shipbuilding industry expertise and tools. IBM Global Services, working closely in partnership with Northrop Grumman, successfully drove the proof-of-concept project over the past year, providing project management and architecture and IT support, as well as proof-of-concept development and deployment services.

For more information see www.ibm.com or www.3ds.com