Lockheed Martin, the world’s largest defense contractor, has unveiled a new initiative called ModSTAR, aimed at creating a robust „hardware catalog” that leverages the company’s extensive digital engineering data. This initiative is designed to enable designers to access proven and tested components, streamlining the development process and reducing timelines for new projects.
The ModSTAR initiative will integrate with Lockheed Martin’s ARISE simulation toolkit announced last year, allowing engineers to conduct in-depth tests of their designs prior to prototype production. According to Tim Cahill, president of the Missiles & Fire Control division, this approach could significantly expedite development cycles. “We’re using it for everything,” he stated during a roundtable with reporters. “We are bidding fewer design cycles, more confident test schedules, and open system architectures that facilitate the quick exchange of key components.”
Lockheed Martin has previously utilized aspects of its digital design and simulation methodologies in notable projects such as the Army’s Precision Strike Missile (PrSM) and the Air Force’s Air-Launched Rapid Response Weapon (ARRW). Cahill noted that the innovative tools contributed to the rapid delivery of the PrSM while addressing challenges in the ARRW program with greater efficiency than traditional methods would allow.
The core concept behind ModSTAR is to capitalize on Lockheed Martin’s extensive engineering experience by applying state-of-the-art AI tools to their wealth of data. „We have, frankly, a hundred years of experience in aerospace engineering,” Cahill explained. “Decades of experience in modern missiles and fire control systems, and all that data is there.”
In today’s manufacturing landscape, „build to print” practices have become essential in producing high-quality products with precision. This methodology involves creating digital models with pinpoint accuracy, which are then utilized by both Lockheed Martin’s factories and its network of subcontractors. Cahill highlighted the significance of digitizing upgrades, enhancements, and replacing obsolete components, stating, “It’s not PowerPoint, it’s engineering data.”
With such meticulous modeling, engineers can create “digital twins”—virtual replicas of physical systems—allowing them to conduct extensive simulations. These digital twins enable engineers to test various designs across diverse scenarios without the high costs associated with physical prototyping.
Cahill expressed enthusiasm about ARISE’s capability to use artificial intelligence to analyze simulation data. He explained that while human engineers can identify some issues, AI can train on specific patterns and detect deviations with remarkable accuracy. “The system will continue to get smarter and smarter as you load it up with data,” he added, emphasizing the exponential growth in computing power, storage, and software sophistication.
However, the effectiveness of AI relies heavily on the quality of the data it processes, which makes ModSTAR’s comprehensive catalog of tested and certified parts a crucial element. Cahill explained, “Let’s say you want to build something new. What you’d like to do is take pieces that are already qualified and put them together in some combination. We can rapidly take these digital models and test different configurations quickly.”
Through the ModSTAR initiative, Lockheed Martin aims to enhance the efficiency and agility of its design processes, ultimately delivering superior solutions to meet the demands of modern aerospace challenges.
