VELIZY-VILLACOUBLAY, France, July 8, 2025 – Dassault Systèmes announced that Raphe mPhibr has adopted its 3DEXPERIENCE platform to improve how aircraft systems are designed, validated, and manufactured, helping to reduce development time. The demand for unmanned aircraft systems is growing across defense, homeland security, agriculture, logistics, and infrastructure monitoring, with projections estimating 6.5 million units in use by 2030. To support India’s efforts toward self-reliance in aerospace and defense, Raphe mPhibr sought a fresh approach that combines technology and science in the design of UAVs, aiming for improved strength-to-weight ratios and higher payload capacity.
Raphe mPhibr handles from metals and composites to electronics in-house. Using Dassault Systèmes’ 3DEXPERIENCE platform, the team reduced product development cycle and included physics and manufacturing needs in the design phase. During engine development, the platform helped reduce the timeline to three months. The platform empowered the team to redesign parts optimized for 3D manufacturing.1
Raphe mPhibr used a combined design and simulation process to create lightweight composite parts. This helped reduce the weight of its 4kW two-stroke engine by 700 grams (1.54 pounds), while keeping the performance similar to much heavier systems. The team also shifted to a 3D-based design approach, making part development effectual and improving the aerodynamic design of its unmanned aircraft.
“Designing and manufacturing a drone is nothing less than designing and manufacturing a whole aircraft. The kind of drones we are manufacturing have 20,000 to 30,000 parts,” said Vikash Mishra, chairman, Raphe mPhibr. “The 3DEXPERIENCE platform allows us to think in 3D – not in straight lines, circles or squares. Biological systems that have evolved in nature – such as plants, anatomical structures and geological formations – are not made up of geometrical shapes. So, using this platform, we can design more organically and without limitations. It’s the best software to create our vision.”
“Raphe mPhibr’s adoption of our 3DEXPERIENCE platform shows how innovators are building tomorrow’s advanced air mobility solutions with virtual twin experiences. Its focus on in-house design sets a new benchmark for engineering excellence,” said David Ziegler, vice president, aerospace and defense industry, Dassault Systèmes. “The 3DEXPERIENCE platform combines all aspects of design, simulation and collaboration in a single environment for innovation and operational efficiency.”
1 The contract between Raphe mPhibr and Dassault Systèmes was signed in Q1 2025.
Source: Dassault Systèmes
About Dassault Systèmes
Dassault Systèmes SE, established in 1981 and based in Vélizy-Villacoublay, France, is a global software company focusing on 3D design, digital mock-ups, and product lifecycle management (PLM). The company creates virtual tools that help improve real-world outcomes for consumers, patients, and communities. Its software portfolio includes CATIA for product design, SOLIDWORKS for 3D mechanical engineering, DELMIA for manufacturing processes, and SIMULIA for advanced simulations. These solutions support industries like aerospace, automotive, consumer goods, industrial equipment, life sciences, and technology. As of 2024, the company has approximately 23,811 employees across 194 offices worldwide. Dassault Systèmes reported €5.67 billion in revenue in 2023 and serves over 350,000 enterprise customers in more than 150 countries.
About Raphe mPhibr
Raphe mPhibr, established in 2017 and based in Uttar Pradesh, India, focuses on the design and manufacturing of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) for defense and security applications. Its product lineup includes high-altitude logistics drones, swarming drones, maritime patrol systems, and compact surveillance UAVs. These systems are used by the Indian Army, Navy, Air Force, and paramilitary forces, with operational deployments covering more than 1 million kilometers. The company runs a vertically integrated 650,000-square-foot facility in Noida, where it develops composites, propulsion systems, electronics, autopilots, and other drone subsystems. Raphe mPhibr employs over 500 people and holds more than 100 intellectual property assets. The company raised $145 million in funding, including a $100 million Series B round led by General Catalyst, and reported fiscal 2024 revenue of approximately ₹86 crore (about $10.3 million). It is expanding its manufacturing and R&D operations, increasing its workforce, and integrating virtual twin technology for product lifecycle management, while working to reduce reliance on foreign suppliers.