DARcorporation
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1991
- HeadquartersLawrence, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingSoftware
What DARcorporation does
DARcorporation (legal name: Design, Analysis and Research Corporation) is a privately held aeronautical engineering firm founded in 1991 in Lawrence, Kansas, by Dr. Jan Roskam and Willem Anemaat. The company develops, licenses, and supports a suite of proprietary aircraft design and analysis software — Advanced Aircraft Analysis (AAA) for preliminary design, Aircraft Performance Program (APP) for performance computation, FLIGHTSTREAM® for high-fidelity aerodynamics, SharkCAD Pro-AP for 3D modeling, and FAR 23 LOADS for regulatory compliance — supplemented by a Python SDK (pyAPP) and a CAD model library. The AAA platform has been installed by engineers in 58 countries, and the firm operates a network of authorized international distributors alongside direct e-commerce sales.
The company's business model combines recurring software licensing (annual subscription, quote-based pricing) with professional services revenue from aircraft design, analysis, prototyping, and physical testing. It operates a 17,000 ft² headquarters facility in Lawrence that integrates software development with a 5,000 ft² prototyping shop, a 510 ft² avionics lab, a 3,700 ft² testing lab with a 466 ft² anechoic acoustic chamber, and 3-D printing capabilities. Customers span four horizontal segments: aircraft manufacturers (Boeing, Basler, Glasair, Transcend Air, Milner AirCar), U.S. government and military agencies (AFRL, NASA, DoD), academic institutions, and emerging UAV/eVTOL developers. The firm has won multiple NASA SBIR/STTR awards and a $1.9 million Air Force Research Lab contract (Sept 2020) for STOL/VTOL UAV development, and maintains a joint venture (Sterna Composite Aircraft USA) with Chinese partner Sterna Composite Aircraft Inc. for composite propeller and airframe solutions.
Ownership remains concentrated with the Anemaat family following Willem and MaryJo Anemaat's 2004 purchase from co-founder Dr. Jan Roskam (now advisor). Co-founder Jan Roskam authored the widely adopted Airplane Design textbook series, which the firm sells alongside CAD models and books through shop.darcorp.com. The firm holds two patents (wind gauges; retractable wing hinge) and continues to release major software versions (AAA v5.0 in Sept 2022, v5.1 in Aug 2023) targeting emerging VTOL and distributed electric propulsion design workflows.
DARcorporation firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- DARcorporation
- Legal name
- Design, Analysis and Research Corporation
- Website
- https://darcorp.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1991
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
DARcorporation industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Aeronautical Engineering Software
- NAICS
- Software Publishers (51321), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641)
- SIC
- Services-Commercial Physical & Biological Research (8731)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Avionics Software, Certification & Safety-Critical Systems (DO-178/DO-254) (IMABAFAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH)
Keywords
Where DARcorporation is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Lawrence
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices2 records
Markets served
DARcorporation business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Software
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain
Revenue model
- Software Licensing: Sale and licensing of aeronautical engineering software products including AAA, APP, FLIGHTSTREAM®, SharkCAD Pro-AP, and FAR 23 LOADS. Software is distributed globally with installations in 58 countries.
- Engineering Consulting Services: Aircraft design, analysis, prototyping, testing, and consulting services for commercial and government clients.
- Technical Publications: Sale of aerospace engineering books and textbooks through the online store, including Airplane Flight Dynamics, Airplane Aerodynamics & Performance, and Airplane Design series.
- CAD Model Library: Sale of CAD model library with multiple file formats (.3ds, .dwg, .prt, .igs, .model, .x_t, .stp, .stl) based on publicly available aircraft data.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Subscription | Annual | Standard Software License |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels6 records
DARcorporation product offering
Product offeringCore offering
DARcorporation develops, sells and licenses proprietary aeronautical engineering software—including Advanced Aircraft Analysis (AAA), Aircraft Performance Program (APP), FLIGHTSTREAM®, SharkCAD Pro-AP, and FAR 23 LOADS—and provides integrated engineering consulting, prototyping, wind/water tunnel testing, and manufacturing services for aircraft, propulsion and wind-energy clients. The company serves aircraft manufacturers, government agencies (e.g., U.S. Air Force Research Lab, NASA), and academic institutions globally, with software installed in 58 countries.
Product overview
DARcorporation offers a suite of five integrated aeronautical engineering software products: Advanced Aircraft Analysis (AAA) as the core preliminary design platform handling weight, balance, sizing, aerodynamics and stability; Aircraft Performance Program (APP) for performance computation across flight envelopes; FLIGHTSTREAM® for high-fidelity aerodynamics simulation; SharkCAD Pro-AP for 3D surface, solid and mesh modeling; and FAR 23 LOADS for regulatory compliance calculation. The product portfolio is complemented by pyAPP (Python SDK for workflow automation) and a CAD model library. The company also provides comprehensive engineering consulting services covering the full lifecycle from conceptual design through prototyping, testing, and manufacturing for aircraft, propulsion systems, and wind turbines.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Advanced Aircraft Analysis (AAA): Primary aircraft preliminary design and analysis software tool developed and marketed by DARcorporation
- Aircraft Performance Program (APP)
- FLIGHTSTREAM
- SharkCAD Pro-AP
- FAR 23 LOADS
- pyAPP
- Sterna Composite Aircraft USA
Products and services
- Advanced Aircraft Analysis (AAA) Primary aircraft preliminary design and analysis software providing authority over the entire design process including Weight & Balance, Performance Sizing, Aerodynamics, and Stability & Control Analysis. Used for conceptual and preliminary aircraft design across fixed-wing, VTOL, and flying wing configurations by aircraft manufacturers, government agencies, and academic institutions.
- Aircraft Performance Program (APP) Computes complete aircraft performance parameters including thrust, fuel flow, lift, drag, SEP turn rate, and more over user-specified ranges of altitudes and speeds for mission and point performance analysis.
- FLIGHTSTREAM® High-fidelity aerodynamics tool that models and analyzes aircraft, propellers, high-lift devices, and jet engine effects for detailed aerodynamic analysis.
- SharkCAD Pro-AP 3D CAD software providing surface modeling, solid modeling, and mesh modeling capabilities for aeronautical applications, including AeroPack add-on features.
- FAR 23 LOADS Calculates airplane loads in accordance with 14 CFR Part 23 (Federal Aviation Regulations for normal, utility, and acrobatic category aircraft) to support regulatory compliance work.
- pyAPP Python programming interface / SDK for the Aircraft Performance Program that enables embedding APP into existing in-house toolchains and MDO frameworks and automating mission and point performance computations.
- CAD Model Library Library of CAD models based on publicly available open source data from Jane's All the World's Aircraft, Roskam's Airplane Design Series, and Modern Air-Launched Weapons, available in .3ds, .dwg, .prt, .igs, .model (CATIA), .x_t (parasolid), .stp, and .stl formats.
- Aerospace Engineering Consulting Services Full-spectrum consulting services including aircraft design and analysis, aircraft modification, design optimization, propeller/ducted fan design and analysis, wind turbine design and analysis, acoustic analysis, flight testing, wind/water tunnel testing, prototyping, manufacturing, and test stand fabrication.
Quantifiable outcome
- AAA software used by engineers in 58 countries
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use DARcorporation
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
DARcorporation technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature6 records
DARcorporation partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Sterna Composite Aircraft Inc.coreJoint venture to provide total product approach to integrated composite propeller and airframe solutions. The joint venture operates under the name Sterna Composite Aircraft USA and is based in Lawrence, Kansas. Combines Sterna's Chinese manufacturing capabilities with DARcorporation's design and testing expertise.
- Research in FlightcorePartnership for distribution and development of FLIGHTSTREAM® aerodynamics software. Research in Flight presents FlightStream-related papers at AIAA forums and collaborates on aerodynamic analysis tool comparisons.
- ALR (Aircraft Performance Program)coreDARcorporation is the sole distributor of ALR's Aircraft Performance Program software, distributing and supporting APP globally while developing pyAPP interface.
- University of Michigan MDO LabminorNASA STTR partnership to develop Open Source Distributed Electric Propulsion Optimization (DEP-MDAO) Tool. DARcorporation was the only Kansas company selected among 312 small businesses.
- Radiance TechnologiesminorSelected as analytics partner to conduct operational assessments and use-case validation for DARcorporation's AFRL UAV contract under the Air Force Explore program.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
DARcorporation competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- AeroTec: Aerospace engineering, certification, and flight testing services provider supporting aircraft modification, testing, and FAA certification — closely overlapping DARcorporation's consulting work for Basler, Boeing 707 modifications, and STOL/VTOL UAV programs.
- Scaled Composites: Northrop Grumman subsidiary specializing in rapid prototype design, fabrication, and flight testing of experimental aircraft. Comparable model of combining proprietary design expertise with full-scale prototype build for advanced aerospace programs.
- Aurora Flight Sciences: Designs, prototypes, and manufactures advanced aircraft and UAS for defense and commercial customers. Now a Boeing subsidiary, it is the scaled version of DARcorporation's integrated software-plus-prototyping-services model and competes for the same advanced air mobility and UAV design programs.
- Research in Flight: Co-developer and distribution partner on FLIGHTSTREAM® aerodynamics software. Closely comparable niche aerodynamics and aerospace analysis software firm with overlapping customer base at AIAA forums and similar propulsion/aerodynamics focus.
- Optimal Synthesis Inc. Small aerospace software and controls firm offering design and analysis tools used by NASA, DoD, and academic researchers. Closely comparable size and niche positioning to DARcorporation, with similar customer profiles in government R&D programs.
- Phoenix Integration: Developer of ModelCenter, a multidisciplinary design optimization (MDO) framework widely used in aerospace. Direct competitor to DARcorporation's pyAPP-enabled APP workflow and overlapping customers integrating aircraft performance analysis into MDO toolchains.
Broad incumbents
- MSC Software (Hexagon): Hexagon-owned suite of structural, dynamics, and manufacturing simulation tools (Nastran, Adams, Marc) widely used across aerospace. Provides overlapping structural and loads analysis capabilities to FAR 23 LOADS-style workflows, but as part of a much broader portfolio.
- Dassault Systèmes: Provider of CATIA and the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, the dominant CAD/PLM suite for commercial and business aviation design. Competes indirectly via broader design-to-analysis integration that encroaches on AAA's preliminary design scope.
- ANSYS: Public simulation software company offering Fluent, Maxwell, and Mechanical used for aerodynamic and structural analysis in aerospace. Overlaps with FLIGHTSTREAM's high-fidelity aerodynamics positioning but targets a much broader engineering market.
- Siemens Digital Industries Software (NX): NX (formerly Unigraphics) is a major aerospace CAD/CAM/CAE platform used across aircraft, engine, and propulsion system development. Comparable broad aerospace design toolset competing for the same aircraft manufacturer customers as DARcorporation's SharkCAD and AAA tools.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
DARcorporation social profiles
Digital presenceDARcorporation financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
DARcorporation leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
DARcorporation subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries1 record
DARcorporation funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
DARcorporation M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about DARcorporation
What does DARcorporation do?
DARcorporation develops, sells and licenses proprietary aeronautical engineering software—including Advanced Aircraft Analysis (AAA), Aircraft Performance Program (APP), FLIGHTSTREAM®, SharkCAD Pro-AP, and FAR 23 LOADS—and provides integrated engineering consulting, prototyping, wind/water tunnel testing, and manufacturing services for aircraft, propulsion and wind-energy clients. The company serves aircraft manufacturers, government agencies (e.g., U.S. Air Force Research Lab, NASA), and academic institutions globally, with software installed in 58 countries.
Is DARcorporation a public or private company?
DARcorporation is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was DARcorporation founded?
DARcorporation was founded in 1991. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is DARcorporation based?
DARcorporation is headquartered in Lawrence, United States, in the North America region.
How does DARcorporation make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Software Licensing is the primary driver. The others are engineering Consulting Services, technical Publications and CAD Model Library.
Who are DARcorporation's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are AeroTec, Scaled Composites, Aurora Flight Sciences, Research in Flight, Optimal Synthesis Inc. and Phoenix Integration. Broad incumbents are MSC Software (Hexagon), Dassault Systèmes, ANSYS and Siemens Digital Industries Software (NX).
Does DARcorporation have an API?
No public API is recorded for DARcorporation.
What industry is DARcorporation in?
DARcorporation's product category is Aeronautical Engineering Software. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAFAK, Avionics Software, Certification & Safety-Critical Systems (DO-178/DO-254), with a secondary code of IMABAIAH, Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV). Its NAICS code is 51321 and its SIC code is 8731.