Video:  Defining Possible in Digital Technology

Comment:  Eventually doing away with the need for prototypes and flying out the first production version as a test version is mind boggling to any of us oldsters doing historic system acquisition involving prototype testing ahead of production.  Sentinel is playing a key role in this "Digital Transformation."  Plugging sustainment into the thinking from day one had been a dilemma for depot care after fielding.  This new approach brings sustainment to the forefront.

Digital Transformation

A rendering of the new LGM-35 Sentinel missile flying at twilight. (Credit: Northrop Grumman)

https://breakingdefense.com/2024/03/insights-on-digital-transformation-following-successes-on-b-21-and-sentinel/

Quote:

In this Q&A with Jeremy Knupp, the executive leading Northrop Grumman’s enterprise Digital Transformation, we discuss: the importance of establishing a common digital ecosystem that allows for collaborative data sharing between employees, customers and partners; how advanced technologies are enhancing work processes; and how connecting data, people, processes and tools is driving improved performance and productivity.

Quote:

Harnessing the learnings of B-21 and Sentinel, we have begun integrating hundreds of programs into a mature, digital ecosystem that makes it possible for us to deliver the capability our customers need — when they need it.

Breaking Defense: Let’s break down the entirety of the digital lifecycle thread. How does digital development improve the thread from beginning to end?

Knupp: Digital engineering is the epicenter of the digital thread. We are applying digital practices throughout the full program lifecycle — design, engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, production, sustainment — developing all aspects of the program from day one. This is driving efficiency over the long term, taking sustainment into account upfront, especially during the digital design phase, yielding near-term benefits. The harmonization of data and processes from disparate systems to a single source of truth for digital development and operations is revolutionary, resulting in efficiencies that can and will accelerate the traditional program lifecycle.

For example, as model fidelity and confidence increase, prototypes won’t be necessary. Thus, the first airplane to exit our facility is a production-representative test aircraft, not a prototype.