Defense Sector Digital Twins: Improving Decision-Making and Mission Preparedness through Simulated Replicas
In the dynamic world of military operations and defense logistics, real-time digital twins are becoming an indispensable tool for enhancing situational awareness and strategic decision-making. These virtual representations of physical assets and systems provide live, data-driven insights that are transforming the way military leaders operate in complex and rapidly changing environments.
One key application of digital twins is in synthetic battlespace and training. The Royal Navy, for instance, uses warfare digital twins like BAE Systems’ MIMESIS to create synthetic operational environments. These twins integrate live data from sensors and command systems, replicating platforms like Type 23 frigates with high fidelity. This allows real RN platforms to train under simulated, realistic threats, improving readiness and tactical response without actual deployment or risk.
Digital twins also play a crucial role in force modernization and procurement optimization. Government agencies deploy these virtual entities to accelerate military force design and modernization by focusing investments on priority projects and optimizing mission outcomes within budget constraints. By simulating operational interdependencies and identifying bottlenecks, digital twins help shift leadership from reactive to proactive, leading to improved efficiency and risk management in defense acquisitions and operations.
In distributed operations and sustainment, digital twins enable advanced logistics sustainment through capabilities like adaptive manufacturing and remote diagnostics. For example, the CH-53K heavy lift helicopter’s digital twin supports distributed maritime operations by enhancing logistics sustainment through advanced parts positioning, remote diagnostics, and adaptive manufacturing near operational areas. This reduces logistical burdens on forward units, maintains high readiness rates, and allows remote troubleshooting, which is critical when operating in austere or dispersed environments.
Integrated lifecycle management is another area where digital twins are making a significant impact. Defense companies like Dassault Systèmes are advancing digital twins that evolve in real time alongside physical products, covering design, manufacturing, training, and maintenance of complex military systems such as aircraft, satellites, drones, and armored vehicles. This integration improves production efficiency, reduces risk and costs, and shortens time from concept to deployment, ensuring sustained operational readiness and rapid innovation in defense capabilities.
Predictive maintenance is another key benefit of digital twins. By predicting component failures and enabling proactive maintenance, digital twins help reduce costly downtime and ensure equipment remains combat ready. The U.S. Navy is already leveraging digital twins to enhance maintenance strategies across its fleet, enabling proactive servicing and extending the operational life of key systems.
Digital twins can also incorporate generative AI to enhance anomaly detection and boost situational awareness for field commanders. Real-time digital twins can detect anomalies in force movements, dynamic supply chain changes, and cybersecurity threats, providing actionable intelligence for operations.
In conclusion, real-time digital twins empower military and defense logistics by providing live, data-driven virtual models that improve training fidelity, optimize supply chains and acquisition strategies, enable predictive maintenance and adaptive manufacturing in forward areas, and integrate product lifecycle processes. This leads to enhanced situational awareness, faster and more informed strategic decision-making, and overall improved military operational effectiveness in complex and dynamic environments.
The federal workforce is exploring the integration of digital twins in force modernization, aiming to reimagine the workforce by optimizing military force design and procurement decisions with the aid of these virtual entities.
In the field, digital twins can be enhanced with artificial-intelligence capabilities, improved situational awareness for commanders by detecting anomalies, such as changes in force movements, supply chain fluctuations, and cybersecurity threats, ultimately providing actionable intelligence for operations.
