Future defence success in the UK will depend on digital twins
Guest blog by Steven Wood, Head of Aerospace, Defence and Security at Digital Catapult #DefTechWeek
The interest in defence capability building in the UK has been renewed as the country finds itself in increasingly complex territory. A growing number of adversaries are weaponising new technologies, digitalising the nature of conflict and prompting the UK to reconsider what its defence measures will look like in the future. In fact, experts from the public and private spheres are now looking beyond the horizon, asking how they can keep up with demand for new dual-use defence solutions. This is where digital twins will play a critical role.
A digital twin is a virtual representation of a physical object or system, designed to mirror its real-world counterpart and enable users to model scenarios, changes, and conditions without real-world risks. This technology offers significant benefits for UK defence pioneers, allowing safe testing and development of solutions in controlled environments.
For over a decade, Digital Catapult has advised defence leaders on innovation programmes to boost efficiency and performance. With the upcoming launch of the UK Digital Twin Centre, accelerating the practical application of deep tech, digital twins are positioned to drive sustainable, long-term success in the UK’s defence sector beyond the current horizon.
Using digital twins to transform the prototyping process
As it stands, it takes considerable time to demonstrate a successful proof of concept. It can take decades to develop new military assets - the Typhoon programme in the UK took approximately 20 years to develop the new aircraft. This has sparked calls from experts for a radical approach to deliver new fighter jets. Fighter jets are the most technologically complex and notoriously expensive aircraft, and as the UK joins forces with Italy and Japan as part of Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) to develop the Tempest by 2035, digital twins could transform the time it takes to deliver these new aircraft.
One way to cut both the lead times and the escalating development costs required for military assets, is to reduce the number of physical prototypes that need to be created to test capability. In the air sector in particular, every prototype must be certified as safe to fly before testing can take place - a process that requires huge volumes of paperwork and data generated in order to receive certification to take to the air. This can take months to complete and is a huge overhead on both timescales and budgets. If the number of actual physical prototypes can be minimised through accurate and verifiable digital modelling in a simulated environment, then years could be removed from the process.
According to research, 70% of businesses in the defence space recognise the value of digital twin technologies in reducing the time to market, because these digital replicas can simulate real-world conditions and behaviours. This allows engineers to identify and address potential issues much earlier in the design process. Therefore, by harnessing the power of digital twins, companies can streamline their development cycles, reduce costs, and ultimately bring innovative products to market more quickly and efficiently than ever before, strengthening the future of the UK’s defence industry, beyond the current horizon.
Transforming the defence and security supply chain
Digital twins have also emerged as invaluable assets for defence companies seeking to strengthen their supply chains and ensure the seamless tracking of equipment for assets, particularly in the face of escalating global threats. Digital Catapult works with businesses not only in the defence space but also in other key sectors including hydrogen, textiles, transport and agriculture, supporting the development of new solutions that will make supply chains more resilient, sustainable and efficient. In light of ongoing conflict, strengthening supply chains is a priority for defence companies and organisations, and digital twins will play a key role in this.
By leveraging digital twins, defence companies can proactively identify vulnerabilities in their supply chains and implement preemptive measures to mitigate potential disruptions. These virtual replicas enable real-time monitoring and analysis of supply chain operations, allowing companies to anticipate and respond swiftly to emerging threats or disruptions, such as attacks on maritime transportation routes or sabotage attempts on critical infrastructure. Through digital twins, defence companies can establish comprehensive visibility into the movement and status of equipment and assets across disparate geographical locations, ensuring accountability and traceability throughout the supply chain, further strengthening the future of UK defence.
The transformative potential of digital twins for UK defence and security is undeniable. As we navigate an uncertain geopolitical landscape and confront evolving threats, it's imperative that defence companies embrace innovation to enhance their capabilities and resilience beyond the current horizon. I urge stakeholders across the sector to recognise the pivotal role of digital twins in driving efficiency, agility, and preparedness, and any company interested in learning more about Digital Catapult’s defence work can learn more here and the UK Digital Twin Centre here.
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Fred is responsible for techUK's activities across the Defence and National Security sectors, working to provide members with access to key stakeholders across the Defence and National Security community. Before taking on the role of Associate Director for Defence and National Security, Fred joined techUK in 2018, working as the Programme Head for Defence at techUK, leading the organisation's engagement with the Ministry of Defence. Before joining techUK, he worked at ADS, the national trade association representing Aerospace, Defence, Security & Space companies in the UK.
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Prior to joining techUK, from 2016-2024 Jeremy was International Security Programme Manager at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI) coordinating research and impact activities for funders including the FCDO and US Department of Defense, as well as business development and strategy.
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Authors
Steven Wood
Head of Aerospace, Defence and Security, Digital Catapult
