Digital twins in aerospace and defense

Of the technological advancements on the digital frontier in recent years, digital twin technology has been one of the most talked about. But what is a digital twin exactly? In essence, it is a precise virtual replica of a physical system, which it can subsequently be used to help optimize. While employing digital twins in aerospace and defense is not a new concept, it has now become a requirement. With this in mind, we analyze the place of digital twins in A&D today in our latest Capgemini Research Institute report, Mirroring reality: Digital twins in aerospace and defense.

We found that the ability to visualize and address issues virtually – before committing to a solution – makes digital twins an invaluable tool for an industry such as A&D, where traditional approaches to solving problems throughout the value chain are often cost- and time-intensive. Recognizing the value of digital twins in the industry, 73% of A&D organizations now have a long-term roadmap for digital twin technology, and investment is ramping up, being projected to increase 40% from the previous year. 

Aside from the potential for significant cost savings, A&D organizations are looking towards digital twins for benefits that include reduced time to market, increased sales, improved operational efficiency, access to advanced training environments, and technological advancement. Importantly, digital twins can also play a role in aiding various sustainability efforts.

Our research also looks into digital twin technology as the backbone of the industrial metaverse, where it can enable a virtual environment for businesses and individuals to collaborate on the design and testing of products, processes, and systems. Finally, we look at how the different organizations that form the A&D industry can accelerate their individual digital twin transformations and tap into the benefits that the technology provides.

Download the report to read more about the transformative impact of digital twin technology on the A&D industry and what organizations can do to take advantage of this development.