Next-Gen Aircraft Change Management Process with Twin Technology

Managing frequent design changes in aircraft manufacturing and maintenance poses significant challenges to safety, regulatory compliance, and cost-effectiveness. While traditional Digital Mock-Ups (DMUs) facilitate design visualization, they inherently lack the dynamic, real-time adaptability critical for effective ongoing change management. This research investigates the transformative potential of Digital Twins (DTs) in enhancing aircraft change management by offering a dynamic, real-time, and data-integrated representation of aircraft systems. Through a comparative analysis of DMU and Digital Twin capabilities, this study proposes a novel conceptual framework for seamlessly integrating Digital Twin into the aircraft lifecycle, specifically targeting the complexities of change management. Findings indicate that Digital Twin implementation significantly reduces risks, accelerates validation processes, and enhances traceability across engineering, production, and maintenance domains. The research concludes that Digital Twins effectively bridge the technological gap beyond static digital mock-ups, enabling proactive and agile change management, bolstering operational resilience, and optimizing the entire aircraft lifecycle in aerospace engineering.