Abstract: The research and design of large aircrafts is a grand engineering project that challenges China’s aviation industry, since it involves the solution of a number of difficult engineering problems within a tight time schedule with very strict requirements for quality. Designing is a key phase of developing a new aircraft. This article presents an analysis of the application and development of digital technology in aircraft design and proposes the concept of comprehensive large airliner digital design system-of-systems, which should cover the overall process of large airliner design, provide support to all design-related technological and management departments, and connect with airliner manufacture and services. The framework of the digital design system-of-systems of large airliners is advanced, and the functions and operation modes of ten systems within the framework are described. Finally, this article provides a look on the development trend for large airliner digital design in the world.

Key words: large airliner, digital design, design support system-of-systems, comprehensive design, digital project management, integration and simulation