MRO & Manufacturing
Latecoere Boosts Aerospace Inspection Efficiency with Augmented Reality
Latecoere reduces aerospace quality inspection times by up to 30% using DELMIA Augmented Experience, enhancing accuracy and operational efficiency.
Augmented Reality Revolutionizes Quality Inspection in Aerospace Manufacturing: A Deep Dive into Latecoere’s Digital Transformation
The aerospace industry is undergoing a significant digital transformation, with augmented reality (AR) emerging as a pivotal technology for addressing longstanding quality inspection challenges. Latecoere, a French aerospace manufacturers with over a century of innovation, has implemented DELMIA Augmented Experience to overhaul its quality control processes. This move has yielded notable results, including inspection time reductions of 20% to 30% and improved accuracy. This article explores how AR is transforming quality inspection in aerospace manufacturing, using Latecoere as a case study, and examines broader industry trends, financial impacts, and future outlooks.
As the global Virtual and Augmented Reality market in aerospace and defense is projected to reach $10 billion by 2033, AR is not just an incremental improvement but a fundamental shift in how quality assurance is conducted. In an industry where zero-defect production is essential for safety and compliance, AR-enabled inspection is rapidly becoming the gold standard.
Company Background and Industry Context
Groupe Latécoère was founded in 1917 by Pierre-Georges Latécoère, initially focusing on military aircraft production during World War I. Over the years, the company expanded into civil aviation and became known for its innovative seaplanes, such as the Latécoère 631, the largest production seaplane ever built. Today, Latecoere is a Tier 1 supplier for major aerospace OEMs, including Airbus, Boeing, and Dassault Aviation, and operates in 14 countries with 5,400 employees as of December 31, 2024.
The company’s operations are structured around three main areas: aerostructures (doors, fuselage, wings), interconnection systems (wiring, avionic racks), and special products/services. Latecoere’s expertise spans the full value chain, from design and manufacturing to assembly and maintenance, making it a critical partner in major aeronautics programs.
Financially, Latecoere reported revenues of €705.8 million in 2024, a 13.4% increase over the previous year, and achieved a recurring EBITDA of €25.7 million, reversing a negative trend from 2023. This performance was driven by increased production rates, new business wins, and operational improvements. However, the company operates in a sector where quality and efficiency are paramount, and even minor defects can disrupt operations and erode customer trust.
The Technology: DELMIA Augmented Experience
Latecoere’s quality inspection transformation is powered by DELMIA Augmented Experience from Dassault Systèmes. This AR platform overlays digital instructions onto the physical work environment, guiding operators through inspection tasks and enabling the identification, qualification, and reporting of non-conformities with greater efficiency.
Traditional quality control relied heavily on manual inspections and paper-based methods, which are prone to human error. In contrast, DELMIA Augmented Experience provides real-time data visualization, allowing inspectors to access specifications, tolerances, and assembly instructions directly on the product. This reduces the need for referencing separate documents and enhances decision-making speed and accuracy.
The platform also streamlines training, providing step-by-step guidance and virtual demonstrations for new employees, which reduces the learning curve and improves consistency. Error reduction is a key benefit, as AR provides instant feedback and alerts when deviations from standards occur. Additionally, remote assistance capabilities allow experts to guide inspectors in real time, regardless of location, further supporting global quality standards.
“With DELMIA Augmented Experience, we are already reducing inspection time by 20% to 30%.” , Grégory Marrocco, Industrial System Digitalization Leader, Latecoere
The system is hardware-independent, compatible with tablets, projection systems, industrial cameras, and AR glasses. For example, Latecoere uses cameras on mobile workstations in open fuselage environments and tablets in confined spaces, demonstrating the flexibility of the technology.
Implementation at Latecoere
Latecoere began its AR journey at the Gimont site in France, followed by a rollout to its facility in Plovdiv, Bulgaria, and ongoing expansion in Toulouse. The process starts with 3D models created in CATIA, which are then used to generate comprehensive inspection plans. These plans are accessed via the DELMIA Augmented Experience application, which overlays digital plans onto real airframes and flags deviations.
In Bulgaria, cameras mounted on mobile workstations capture and analyze components in open fuselage environments, while in Toulouse, tablets are used in confined spaces. This approach ensures consistent quality standards and adaptability to different manufacturing contexts.
The results are tangible: inspection times have dropped by up to 30%, errors and costs have decreased, and traceability has improved. The technology also facilitates faster integration of new employees and enhances customer confidence by making inspection methods more reliable.
“Quality control is really very important because it’s the last step before delivery to the final customer. It’s very important for Latecoere to maintain customer satisfaction.” , Florent Lahaye, Program Quality Manager, Latecoere
Automated data capture and analytics further support continuous improvement by enabling defect analysis and action plan development.
Market Context and Industry Trends
The adoption of AR in aerospace is part of a broader industry trend, with the global market for VR/AR in aerospace and defense projected to grow from $2 billion in 2025 to $10 billion by 2033 (CAGR 25%). This growth is driven by demand for advanced training, improved manufacturing processes, and enhanced maintenance capabilities.
Major companies like Boeing and Lockheed Martin are investing in AR solutions, recognizing their value in addressing precision, compliance, and efficiency challenges. The aviation AR/VR market specifically is expected to reach $9.34 billion by 2030, with strong demand for immersive training and maintenance solutions.
Challenges remain, including high initial investment costs, skills shortages, and data security concerns. However, ongoing technological advancements and a focus on operational efficiency are expected to drive continued adoption.
Financial Impact and Return on Investment
AR implementation at Latecoere has yielded measurable financial returns. Inspection time reductions of 20% to 30% translate into labor savings and increased throughput. Error reduction minimizes costly rework and supports customer satisfaction. Industry benchmarks show that AR can reduce the risk of errors in defect location or interpretation by up to 90% and cut inspection time by up to 40%.
Other manufacturers using DELMIA Augmented Experience have reported a 34% increase in assembly speed and zero non-conformance for complex parts. For Latecoere, these gains align with improvements in operational efficiency and strategic positioning.
AR also streamlines training, reducing costs and improving consistency. Remote assistance capabilities lower travel and support costs, while enhanced documentation and traceability reduce compliance risks. Companies are encouraged to define clear objectives, select meaningful ROI metrics, and measure outcomes to fully realize AR’s financial benefits.
Broader Aerospace Industry Applications
Beyond quality inspection, AR is transforming aerospace training, maintenance, and design validation. AR provides effective training support, allowing technicians to learn autonomously and consistently. Studies show AR outperforms VR for training by integrating learning with real-world practice.
In maintenance, AR can lower aircraft-on-ground times by over 60% and boost productivity by up to 70%. Remote support and real-time data sharing further enable efficient operations despite workforce constraints and travel restrictions.
Design and prototyping benefit from AR through virtual prototyping, remote collaboration, and real-time validation, reducing development costs and accelerating time-to-market. Major manufacturers like BMW and Ford have reported significant time and cost savings from AR-enabled processes.
“AR factory setups enable real-time monitoring of production lines, ensuring smooth operations, reducing downtime, and enhancing worker safety.”
AR adoption is growing, with spending expected to surpass $48.6 billion by 2025. Companies view AR as a strategic investment for future-proofing operations and driving innovation.
Challenges and Future Outlook
Despite its benefits, AR implementation faces technical, organizational, and regulatory challenges. High upfront costs, skills shortages, and data security issues require careful management. Integration with existing systems and hardware standardization add complexity.
Organizational change management is crucial, as transitioning from traditional methods to AR-enabled processes demands comprehensive training and cultural adaptation. The skills gap, particularly as experienced workers retire, can be mitigated by AR’s training capabilities but requires balanced program development.
Looking ahead, advances in AI, machine learning, 5G connectivity, and hardware will enhance AR’s capabilities. Digital twin integration, predictive maintenance, and collaborative design reviews will expand AR’s value. As the market matures, broader adoption and innovation will help overcome current limitations and unlock new possibilities for quality assurance in aerospace manufacturing.
Conclusion
Latecoere’s implementation of augmented reality for quality inspection exemplifies successful digital transformation in aerospace manufacturing. With inspection times reduced by up to 30%, improved accuracy, and enhanced traceability, AR has proven its value as more than just a technology upgrade, it is a comprehensive process transformation.
As the aerospace AR/VR market continues to grow, driven by industry-wide investments and technological advancements, early adopters like Latecoere are setting the standard for quality, efficiency, and innovation. The future of aerospace manufacturing will be shaped by organizations that embrace AR as a strategic enabler, leveraging its capabilities to meet the demands of a rapidly evolving market while maintaining the highest standards of safety and reliability.
FAQ
What is DELMIA Augmented Experience?
DELMIA Augmented Experience is an AR platform developed by Dassault Systèmes that overlays digital instructions onto the physical work environment, guiding operators through quality inspection and other manufacturing tasks.
How much has Latecoere reduced inspection times using AR?
Latecoere has reported inspection time reductions of 20% to 30% after implementing DELMIA Augmented Experience.
What are the main challenges of AR implementation in aerospace?
Key challenges include high initial investment costs, skills shortages, data security concerns, integration complexity, and the need for organizational change management.
How does AR improve training in aerospace manufacturing?
AR provides step-by-step digital guidance, virtual demonstrations, and consistent training experiences, reducing the learning curve and improving quality consistency.
What is the projected market size for AR/VR in aerospace?
The global AR/VR market in aerospace and defense is projected to grow from $2 billion in 2025 to approximately $10 billion by 2033.
Sources: Latecoere, Wikipedia – Latécoère, Dassault Systèmes, DELMIA Augmented Experience
Photo Credit: Latecoere
MRO & Manufacturing
Baxter Aerospace Invests $19.55M in Utah Manufacturing Facility
Baxter Aerospace expands into Washington County, Utah with a $19.55M facility to scale UAS and satellite comms production.
Baxter Aerospace will invest $19.55 million to lease and equip a new manufacturing facility in Washington County, Utah, transitioning its unmanned aircraft and communications systems from prototype development into full-scale production.
The expansion, announced in an October 8, 2026, press release by the Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development (GOED), is projected to create 90 high-paying jobs over the next five years while strengthening the state’s aerospace and defense industrial base.
Transitioning to full-scale production
The new facility in Washington City will feature high-capacity infrastructure, specialized testing spaces, and security systems. This site is designed to support mission-critical work across aerospace, defense, satellite communications, autonomous aircraft, and public safety.
Baxter Aerospace CEO Jeff Baxter stated that expanding in southern Utah allows the company to increase manufacturing capacity and support growing customer needs. He noted the company is prepared to help shape the region’s aerospace future.
The project is backed by a Rural Economic Development Tax Increment Financing (REDTIF) post-performance tax credit approved by the GOED. Under the agreement, Baxter Aerospace can earn a rebate of up to 30% on new state revenues generated over the five-year term, capped at $456,939.
State officials project the expansion will generate $20,758,160 in new state wages and $1,523,131 in new state tax revenue during that period. GOED Commissioner Jefferson Moss noted that the investment signals Utah’s economic future is fueled by frontier innovation. Washington County Commissioner Adam Snow added that the expansion connects local talent with emerging aerospace opportunities.
Scaling the BA-1 Dragonfly and defense portfolio
The manufacturing expansion follows a period of steady growth for the St. George-based defense and aerospace innovator. Brothers Jeff and Michael Baxter founded the company in 2015 following a severe Oregon wildfire, focusing their initial efforts on real-time sensing, resilient communications, and autonomous systems for emergency response and defense applications.
The company’s flagship aerospace product is the BA-1 Dragonfly. The Dragonfly is a Group 3 vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) unmanned aircraft system designed for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions, featuring over 12 hours of endurance.
Alongside the BA-1 Dragonfly, Baxter Aerospace produces deployable broadband satellite communications kits that utilize low Earth orbit (LEO) networks. The company also manufactures precision components for the fusion and nuclear energy sectors.
To support the scaling of these product lines, Baxter Aerospace secured a $6 million Series A funding round in July 2025. The capital was raised from the Department of Defense (DoD) Accelerator fund, managed by Accuidity Capital Management, specifically to accelerate production of the Dragonfly system and the deployable communications kits. The new Washington County facility represents the physical infrastructure required to execute that production scale-up between late 2026 and 2031.
Photo Credit: Utah Governor’s Office of Economic Development
MRO & Manufacturing
IAI 777-300ERSF P2F Conversions Launch in North America
The first Boeing 777-300ER for P2F conversion in North America arrives at Ascent Aviation Services in Marana, Arizona.
The first Boeing 777-300ER slated for passenger-to-freighter (P2F) conversion in North America arrived at Ascent Aviation Services in Marana, Arizona, on October 22, 2026. The induction marks the regional launch of the Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) modification program for the widebody twinjet.
The arrival of the World Star Aviation aircraft initiates operations at a newly expanded site designed to increase global capacity for the Boeing 777-300ERSF program, according to a joint press release issued by the companies.
Expanding global conversion capacity
Ascent Aviation Services, an independent aircraft aftermarket service provider and Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Class IV Part 145 certified repair station, will operate two parallel conversion lines at its Pinal Air Park campus. To accommodate the Boeing 777-300ERSF program, the company invested $70 million to construct two 90,000-square-foot widebody hangars. Ascent broke ground on the facilities on March 29, 2024, effectively tripling the site’s hangar capacity.
“The launch of Boeing 777-300ERSF conversions in North America marks an important milestone for IAI’s global conversion program,” Yaacov Berkovitz, executive vice president and general manager of IAI Aviation Group, stated in the release. “Together with Ascent Aviation Services, we are expanding production capacity and bringing our conversion capabilities closer to customers in the region.”
Ascent Aviation Services chief executive officer David Querio noted that the induction represents the beginning of a long-term partnership with IAI, with multiple Boeing 777-300ERSF conversions planned for the Marana site.
“Our vision is to shape the future of aviation by turning engineering innovation into lasting value for our customers,” IAI president and chief executive officer Guy Bar Lev added. “Passenger-to-freighter conversions are a key part of that vision, extending the productive life of aircraft and helping airlines adapt to changing market needs.”
World Star Aviation’s fleet strategy
The inaugural aircraft belongs to World Star Aviation, a full-service aircraft and engine lessor headquartered in London. The company specializes in mid-to-late life assets and manages a portfolio of approximately 150 aircraft and engines. This includes 60 narrowbody and widebody freighters currently on lease to cargo operators globally.
World Star Aviation partner Yoyo Allalouf cited the strength of the IAI program during a critical period for widebody passenger-to-freighter production as the primary driver for their selection.
“IAI’s dominance in the widebody P2F space, demonstrated by its Boeing 747 and 767 programs, together with our long-standing relationship, underpinned our decision to choose IAI for the 777-300ERSF,” added Garreth Slevin, partner at World Star Aviation.
The rise of the “Big Twin” freighter
The Boeing 777-300ERSF program, marketed as “The Big Twin,” launched on October 22, 2019, as a joint venture between IAI and GECAS, which was subsequently acquired by AerCap. It remains the only certified P2F conversion program for the Boeing 777-300ER.
The converted freighter offers 25 percent more cargo volume than a production Boeing 777-200LRF and 15 percent more volume than a Boeing 747-400BCF. This capacity positions the aircraft as a direct replacement for aging Boeing 747-400 and McDonnell Douglas MD-11 freighter fleets.
IAI brings over 50 years of experience to the program, having delivered more than 350 converted cargo aircraft across Boeing 747, 767, 737, and Airbus A330 platforms. The company currently holds a dominant market share in medium-size freighter conversions, particularly with the Boeing 767.
The 777-300ERSF recently transitioned from certification into commercial service. In August 2026, Challenge Group took delivery of its second 777-300ERSF, which marked the fifth redelivery of the type across the industry for the year.
AirPro News analysis
We view the activation of the Marana conversion lines as a critical step in maturing the Boeing 777-300ERSF program. By establishing a North American footprint, IAI mitigates geographic bottlenecks and provides operators with a domestic option for heavy modifications. The $70 million infrastructure investment by Ascent Aviation Services indicates strong long-term confidence in the widebody conversion market, even as the air cargo sector normalizes following pandemic-era peaks. As legacy quad-engine and tri-engine freighters approach mandatory retirement or become economically unviable, the availability of parallel conversion lines in the United States ensures IAI can capture a significant share of the impending widebody replacement cycle.
Photo Credit: IAI
MRO & Manufacturing
Cirrus Aircraft Breaks Ground on $8M Engine Run-Up Center
Cirrus Aircraft begins construction on a 15,000-sq-ft Engine Run-Up Center in Duluth, MN, set to open summer 2027.
Cirrus Aircraft has commenced construction on an $8 million, 15,000-square-foot Engine Run-Up Center in Duluth, Minnesota, moving critical engine testing and fuel calibration processes into a year-round, climate-controlled environment.
The new facility, detailed in a company press release on October 23, 2026, is designed to support the certification process for the SR Series, Vision Jet, and TRAC10 aircraft while reducing noise at the surrounding airport.
Centralizing certification operations
The Engine Run-Up Center will consolidate several final-phase manufacturing steps into a single enclosed building. The facility will house two calibration stalls dedicated to engine setup and testing, utilizing an 8-foot exhaust collector to ventilate the spaces. A separate climate-controlled control room will allow technicians to conduct data analysis during the testing phase.
In addition to the testing stalls, the building will include two stalls specifically engineered for fueling and defueling aircraft. These areas incorporate specialized fire protection systems and are designed to meet requirements for handling flammable fluids.
Cirrus Chief Executive Officer Zean Nielsen stated that engine run-ups and fuel system calibration are essential processes across aircraft manufacturing. He noted that the modern facility will allow the company to streamline these critical operations, improve efficiency, and provide team members with a dedicated environment to perform the work.
Expanding the Duluth manufacturing footprint
The new testing center adds to an existing corporate footprint that exceeds 1.3 million square feet. The majority of this infrastructure is located in Duluth, which serves as the primary production hub for the manufacturer.
Founded in 1984 and now publicly traded on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange, Cirrus has manufactured more than 12,000 SR Series piston aircraft and Vision Jets to date. The groundbreaking follows closely on a major program milestone for the company. On October 21, 2026, Cirrus celebrated the 10-year anniversary of Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) type certification for the Vision Jet, the first single-engine personal jet to reach the market.
Patrick Waddick, President of Innovation & Operations at Cirrus, highlighted the scale of the company’s historical output in Duluth. He noted that the new facility expands a footprint where the company has produced its entire fleet of over 12,000 aircraft, adding that the manufacturer has spent decades challenging conventions through innovations that transform personal aviation.
Project timeline and operational impact
Construction on the Engine Run-Up Center is underway, with the facility expected to open and become fully operational by the summer of 2027. By moving engine testing indoors, the company anticipates a reduction in noise levels for the surrounding airport environment, a common challenge for manufacturers conducting high-power engine runs on open ramps.
The $8 million investment reflects broader efforts by the airframer to scale production capabilities in response to market requirements. Nielsen indicated that as the company continues to grow, investments in manufacturing infrastructure position Cirrus to meet customer demand while maintaining high standards of quality and safety.
Photo Credit: Cirrus Aircraft
-
Newsletter7 days agoAirPro News Weekly: 12 October – 19 October 2026
-
Business Aviation2 days agoDTA Aircraft JP1 eVTOL Targets April 2027 US Flight Testing
-
Business Aviation2 days agoUniversal Aviation Rebrands as Affinity Aviation at NBAA 2026
-
Business Aviation2 days agoCivil Air Patrol Orders 21 Cessna Aircraft From Textron Aviation
-
Space & Satellites2 days agoBAE Systems Acquires Colorado Facility for Space Hardware