European Commission launches Multi-Disciplinary Design and Analysis Framework for Aerial Systems

Digital Twins (DT) are defined as validated virtual models of physical entities and processes, with the capability to be (seamlessly) connected, in right time throughout their lifecycles, enabling simulation, performance optimisation, and informed decisionmaking.

A System of Systems (SoS) DT is a model that integrates multiple DTs of individual systems, subsystems, and components, providing a holistic, real-time view of the entire system behaviour, performance, and responses to various scenarios and conditions. Potential benefits of DTs for military applications include:

• Increase fleet availability and reliability by enabling better maintenance planning and reducing the occurrence of unanticipated damage findings.
• Improve product development and reduce lead time for the new military systems.
• Ensure fleet safety by providing better information on the condition of each individual asset.
• Incorporate added capabilities to provide operational superiority.
• Reduce maintenance costs by increasing maintenance interval, reducing inspections and maintenance labour.

Scope

• Priority should be the development of modules related to the modelling of aerial systems and their integration in a digital rig, with a view to certifying these integrations of systems and subsystems. Further modules should be developed and coupled towards reaching the goal of obtaining a DT at the aerial system level. This modular building up could benefit complementary developments for other weapons systems.

Aim

• The research also aims to examine the flow of digital data across different stages of the lifecycle, as well as between various domains, such as:
  • Lifecycle phases: How digital data can be seamlessly shared and utilised across different stages, e.g., from design to software development to mechanical engineering.
  • Application domains: How digital data can be integrated and leveraged across different areas, such as system operation, logistics, and maintenance.
  • Information spaces: How digital data can be shared and utilised across different information systems and platforms, ensuring interoperability, and reducing silos.

Objectives

• To address the interoperability challenges of DTs in a global context, it is essential to develop a robust reference architecture that can handle the complexities of exchanging, sharing, and reusing information across diverse systems and nations. The key issues to be addressed are the following:
  • Effective Information Exchange is challenging because of use of diverse data formats and standards, variations in modelling techniques and simulations tools (esp. considering sensor networks). This should be addressed through improvement of standardisations, implementation of middleware solutions and data catalogues.
  • Coordination and Enrichment of Simulations: the main challenge is the need for faster than real time data integration from multiple sources and ensuring data consistency. These should be addressed through the creation of a federated architecture, data orchestration and cross-domain ontologies.
  • Security of Information Exchange to protect against cyber threats. Data should be secured both during transfer and storage. Therefore, following technologies must be considered: encryption, access control, Intrusion Detection Systems or use of block chain technologies.
  • Coherent Data Analysis, Storage, and Discovery where the main issues are about managing large volumes of heterogeneous data, handling high-resolution sensor data from multiple sources, and ensuring its quality and consistency. The proposals must address the use of cloud storage for raw data, structured data as well as big data analysis, metadata management, and use of AI and Machine Learning for data cleaning, integration and predictive analytics.
  • Development and Validation of Models where the main challenges lie in ensuring accuracy, reliability of physics based and data-driven models and calibration with real-world data. The following technologies and approaches should be considered: Hybrid modelling approaches, model validation frameworks, continuous learning, and collaborative platforms.
  • Explore the DT potential in non-technical areas, such as managing cost overruns, reporting progress, and coordinating multi-national capabilities. A common model database, featuring constructive entities and terrain data, can facilitate data sharing and reuse, enhance collaboration, and boost efficiency. This requires understanding data ownership, sovereignty, and sharing concepts to ensure effective management and protection of critical data assets.

Expected Outcomes

• The outcome should contribute to:
  • Enhance operational superiority and lifecycle management.
  • Enable breakthroughs such as integrated mission management and systems diagnosis, predictive maintenance facilitating mission planning and mission planning adaptation, simulation and training scenarios, reduced manning and/or autonomous operations.
  • Ensure safer platforms, increased equipment reliability, endurance, and reduced maintenance costs.
  • Facilitate the validation and incorporation of new technologies throughout the platform lifecycle.
  • Enable early risk reduction and digital system maturation to minimise development time and costs.
  • Enhance the effectiveness of coordination with Military Airworthiness Authorities.
  • Allow the air forces of EU Member States and EDF Associated Countries to remotely configure customised platforms and assess operational effect.
  • Revolutionise aerial system design and certification, enabling multi-functional and high-fidelity system design coupled to physical testing infrastructure, leading to improved system efficiency and reduced costs.

Eligible Activities

• Activities that aim to create, underpin and improve knowledge, products and technologies, including disruptive technologies, which can achieve significant effects in the area of defence
• Activities that aim to increase interoperability and resilience, including secured production and exchange of data, to master critical defence technologies, to strengthen the security of supply or to enable the effective exploitation of results for defence products and technologies
• Studies, such as feasibility studies to explore the feasibility of new or upgraded products, technologies, processes, services and solutions
• Design of a defence product, tangible or intangible component or technology as well as the definition of the technical specifications on which such a design has been developed, including any partial test for risk reduction in an industrial or representative environment.

Eligibility Criteria

• In order to be eligible, all applicants (beneficiaries and affiliated entities) must cumulatively:
  • be legal entities (public or private bodies)
  • be established in one of the eligible countries, i.e.:
    • EU Member States (including overseas countries and territories (OCTs))
    • non-EU countries:
      • EEA countries (‘EDF associated countries’)
  • have their executive management structure established in eligible countries
  • not be subject to control by a non-associated third country or non-associated third-country entity.

For more information, visit European Commission.