Navy’s New DDG(X) & 6th Gen Jets: Fast-Tracked for Deployment with Digital Engineering

Video Above: Navy Connects Air, Surface, Underseas Drones

By Kris Osborn – President & Editor-In-Chief, Warrior Maven

The use of digital engineering has exploded onto the scene when it comes to weapons developers, testing and assessments as well as design modeling for major new platforms and technologies. 

Digital Engineering 

Many credit the digital engineering process as largely responsible for why the Air Force’s 6th-generation stealth fighter has taken to the skies nearly 10 years earlier than expected. The services’ Ground Based Strategic Deterrent new ICBM and several hypersonic weapons have been massively accelerated due to the success of digital engineering techniques.

Computer simulations can now very closely replicate performance parameters of large weapons platforms and enable extensive testing, a process which enables weapons developers to analyze multiple design possibilities without having to “bend metal” and build prototypes. 

Algorithms, and computer modeling has become so precise that many advocates explain it can replicate the operational impact and performance of weapons systems and new technological systems, without anything needing to be built.

DDG X Next-Generation Destroyer

This process is also likely a key reason why the Navy is making rapid progress on conceptual work on its DDG X next-generation destroyer program. While a hull design has not as of yet been decided upon, Navy and industry weapons developers are now using advanced computer simulations to assess different design configurations.