Abstract: This paper brings forward the idea of building a platform for aircraft conceptual design. It integrates many tools to conduct conceptual design using virtual prototyping. The definition of virtual prototyping using in the aircraft conceptual design process is stated. The distributed system hierarchy, logic structure and framework of aircraft conceptual design virtual prototyping are established. The workflow and dataflow are laid out. The list and its level decomposition of technology used to platform development are accomplished. The approach using agent to integrate tools is brought forward. The mode of design with virtual prototyping is analyzed. Finally, a prototype system of conceptual aircraft design virtual prototyping is constructed.

Key words: aircraft engineering, conceptual design, virtual prototyping, system frame, system integration