SEPTEMBER 2025AEROSPACEDEFENSEREVIEW.COM9Technology AdvancesAs technology has progressed, so has the development of digital twins. With increased computing power, data from physical systems can now be collected and shared digitally, allowing twins to exist as fully virtual, real-time representations of physical assets.These digital twins help decision-makers simulate and better understand asset behavior. What defines a "sufficient" twin depends on the specific challenge--it must include the right elements and level of detail for the task.Instead of full replicas, designers and owners can develop function-specific twins that still provide valuable insights for maintenance, performance, and upgrade planning.Digital Twin CredibilityWhat makes a digital twin a credible representation of the as-built asset depends on the specific use case. Like any engineering model, its assumptions, simplifications, and fidelity must be appropriate for the intended application, balancing accuracy with available time and resources.Credibility is context-specific and cannot be precisely measured. The key is ensuring that the decision-maker has enough evidence to trust the digital twin's accuracy for its purpose.Trust builds through proper verification, validation, high-quality input, and operational data integrity. Usability and success in similar applications also influence confidence.Ultimately, the decision-maker determines whether the digital twin is reliable enough to use. However, clear documentation from developers and users--covering development processes and validation methods--is essential to support trust and effectiveness during both acquisition and operational deployment of digital twin solutions.Applying Use CasesWhat makes digital twins unique is their ability to represent a specific physical system over time. The best use cases are those where capturing the unique operational and environmental context of an asset adds value.Common applications include structural and machinery integrity management, operational performance optimization, asset efficiency, and decarbonization through data-informed operations.A helpful way to view the digital twin is as a model administration unit--hosting a library of models that draw on real-time data from the physical asset. These models can be configured into specific digital twin setups tailored to individual use cases.The challenge lies in ensuring seamless integration among these models.Most digital twins today are single-use, solving a specific problem. As industry standards evolve, greater model integration will let one twin support multiple functions and deliver broader operational insights.Digital MaintenanceA core feature of a digital twin is its continuous data exchange with the physical system it represents. Like the physical asset, the twin requires regular updates to stay accurate and valuable throughout its lifecycle.The method and timing of this data exchange depend on the use case. Two important terms are collection frequency--how often data is gathered (e.g., sensor rate in Hertz)--and synchronization frequency, which refers to how often that data updates the twin.While these frequencies can match, they don't always. In systems with limited connectivity or bandwidth, synchronization may occur less frequently.Importantly, high collection rates aren't always necessary. For instance, in cases like structural degradation due to corrosion, data might only be needed every few years. That's acceptable if it aligns with the decision-making timeline--the period from receiving data to acting on it.Maintaining a digital twin means ensuring timely updates that match the asset's operational needs.ConclusionAs the shipping industry moves closer to embracing digitalization, digital twins are well-positioned to play a significant role in enhancing safety, efficiency, and compliance.Their ability to capture the unique aspects and circumstances of a system enables more proactive monitoring that supports early detection of anomalies or potential failures.Digital twins support a more data-informed approach, reducing incident risk and helping ensure assets consistently meet regulatory standards. Digital twins also enable transparent documentation, remote inspections, and streamlined compliance for improved safety outcomes. WHAT MAKES DIGITAL TWINS UNIQUE IS THEIR ABILITY TO REPRESENT A SPECIFIC PHYSICAL SYSTEM OVER TIME
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