The US Air Force’s NGAD program highlights the promises and challenges of digital engineering in aircraft design. While digital engineering offers faster design and better understanding, it can’t fully replace real-world testing. Striking a balance between these two approaches will be crucial for the program’s success and the future of aircraft design.

The futuristic Next Generation Air Dominance (NGAD) fighter platform currently under development is poised to become one of the most complex and high-stakes weapon acquisitions in the history of the US Air Force. This sixth-generation fighter jet is expected to incorporate new technologies ranging from cutting-edge adaptive engines to an autonomous drone flying alongside its wings. If NGAD performs as anticipated, it could play a critical role in a potential conflict with China.

However, in recent years, the advanced digital engineering techniques that the US Air Force believed would lead to a revolution in rapid aircraft development and deployment haven’t always yielded the expected results. This concept allows engineers to swiftly and accurately create designs or models to test assumptions. While digital engineering is expected to play a central role in the NGAD effort, experts argue that the US Air Force must ensure that the technique lives up to its promise.

Past and Present of Digital Engineering

Digital engineering has been around in various forms since the 1970s, according to Heather Penney, a member of the Mitchell Institute for Aerospace Studies. The approach has evolved as improvements were made in processing, algorithms, modeling, and simulation. Today, digital engineering can encompass everything from 3D models of individual aircraft parts to models of how an aircraft’s various systems interact with each other or the aircraft as a whole.

However, digital engineering isn’t a magical solution. Despite significant advancements in digital design, issues encountered in the T-7A Red Hawk program showed that challenges remain. Aerodynamic instability known as “wing rock” in the T-7 was fixed, but this discovery, along with other problems, led to delays.

Evolution of Digital Engineering in the NGAD Program

The US Air Force is looking to expand its digital engineering approach to encompass the entire life cycle of an aircraft in the concept of digital materiel management. The goal is to dramatically expedite and streamline the processes of designing, creating, and maintaining aircraft using digital methods throughout their life cycles, from initial conception to retirement.

However, widespread adoption of this approach faces technological limitations. Issues related to outdated information systems and a lack of digitized maintenance manuals hinder the adoption of predictive maintenance. The potential is there, but adjustments need to be made to integrate this new approach into current processes.

Towards Comprehensive Digital Design

The NGAD program presents both a challenge and an opportunity for digital engineering. As the US Air Force embarks on the process of designing the aircraft and its propulsion systems, the use of digital engineering becomes crucial. The potential benefits include the ability to make real-time adjustments and a better understanding of the design, but these benefits must be balanced with the challenges posed by the physical realities of testing.

The NGAD’s propulsion system will be the first to be entirely digitally designed and produced. This will enable easier updates and further development in line with evolving threats. However, experts stress that digital engineering isn’t a cure-all and that real-world testing remains essential.

Promises and Challenges

The benefits of digital engineering are clear: faster design, easier adaptation to changing threats, and a better understanding of an aircraft’s life cycle. However, the drawbacks are also evident: technical challenges, delays, and potential issues that aren’t detected by digital models. For digital engineering to succeed, a deep understanding of its capabilities and limitations is crucial.

In conclusion, the US Air Force’s NGAD program serves as a crucial test for digital engineering. As the US Air Force aims to leverage the advantages of this approach, it must also acknowledge its limitations and fill in the gaps with robust physical testing. Digital engineering can bring significant benefits, but it can’t fully replace real-world testing. As in many fields, the balance between traditional methods and new technologies is essential for success.

Fly a jet fighter is the fighter jet experience specialist.