On Digital Twins in Defence: Overview and Applications

TL;DR

This paper reviews the role of digital twins in defense, discussing their applications, standards, challenges, and future research directions to enhance modeling, simulation, and decision-making.

Contribution

It consolidates existing research into a unified framework, introduces a defense-specific digital twin characterization, and highlights key challenges and future opportunities.

Findings

Digital twins improve simulation fidelity and interoperability in defense.

Current challenges include interoperability, security, and system integration.

Stakeholder feedback reveals practical deployment challenges.

Abstract

Digital twins have emerged as a transformative technology for modeling and simulation in various industries, including defense. This paper provides a comprehensive review of digital twin applications in defense modeling and simulation, focusing on how digital twins can enhance simulation fidelity, interoperability, and decision support within defense systems. We consolidate existing research into a unified framework that links digital twin concepts, simulation-driven application, and real-world deployment in defense scenarios. We discuss the role of digital twin in applications like planning, training, execution and monitoring, and debriefing. We introduce a standardized digital twin characterization framework suitable for defense application that aligns with industrial modeling and simulation standards, and present a taxonomy of defense specific use cases, highlighting recurring requirements. Additionally, practical evidence is provided from a targeted questionnaire distributed to defense stakeholders and Ministries of Defense, revealing current challenges in digital twin integration and deployment. Finally, we conclude by identifying key gaps in digital twins application for defense modeling and simulation, including interoperability, security, and system integration, and we outline future research directions and development opportunities. This review aims to inform defense modeling and simulation practitioners and researchers, guiding future work on digital twin design, implementation and deployment across defense applications.