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Digital twins in mechanical and aerospace engineering

Nature Computational Science volume 4, pages 178–183 (2024)Cite this article

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Abstract

Digital twins bring value to mechanical and aerospace systems by speeding up development, reducing risk, predicting issues and reducing sustainment costs. Realizing these benefits at scale requires a structured and intentional approach to digital twin conception, design, development, operation and sustainment. To bring maximal value, a digital twin does not need to be an exquisite virtual replica but instead must be envisioned to be fit for purpose, where the determination of fitness depends on the capability needs and the cost–benefit trade-offs.

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Fig. 1: The elements of a digital twin.
Fig. 2: The digital twin life cycle.
Fig. 3: Digital twin trade-offs.

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Acknowledgements

K.W. acknowledges support from Department of Energy grant DE-SC0021239 and Air Force Office of Scientific Research grants FA9550-21-1-0084 and FA9550-22-1-0419.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. RTX, Technology and Global Engineering, East Hartford, CT, USA

    Alberto Ferrari

  2. Department of Aerospace Engineering and Engineering Mechanics, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, USA

    Karen Willcox

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  1. Alberto Ferrari
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  2. Karen Willcox
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Both authors contributed to the conception, writing and editing of this paper.

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Correspondence to Karen Willcox.

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Competing interests

A.F. is part of RTX, an aerospace and defense enterprise company. K.W. declares no competing interests.

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Nature Computational Science thanks Kristi Morgansen and Omer San for their contribution to the peer review of this work. Primary Handling Editor: Fernando Chirigati, in collaboration with the Nature Computational Science team.

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Ferrari, A., Willcox, K. Digital twins in mechanical and aerospace engineering. Nat Comput Sci 4, 178–183 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s43588-024-00613-8

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