Focus July 2020

To support future maritime defence digital twins, we’re taking a multi-threaded approach through a range of internal strategic initiatives and R&D activities, as follows: 1. Digital threads in design, enabling the creation of the twin We’re mapping out our design toolset of the future for ship design, creating an integrated digital design twin with advanced integrated simulation and analysis capabilities that allow the left- shift of risk from physical testing back into the design phase. 2. Integrity, security End-to-end (sensor to decision) secure data transmission, management and verification; digital twin cyber threat detection, protection, response and recovery. A digital twin ship or fleet is susceptible to threats that are similar to those seen by physical ships. 3. Interoperability, supply chain engagement Federated twin high level architectures and APIs that enable prime contractors and OEMS to support a digital ship with ‘digital equipment’ whilst protecting I.P. and ensuring the interoperability of ‘digital assets’. 4. Digital twin return on investment Research into future intelligent asset management - a digital twin creates value when embedded into a holistic intelligent asset management system, supporting decision-making and business model optimisation at portfolio and organisational levels. These solutions not only highlight our abilities and expertise in developing bespoke customer solutions, but are also are testament to our commitment to Digital Transformation programmes in the industries we serve. Future maritime defence digital twins Challenges to adoption BMT’s focus Within the defence maritime enterprise, many of the challenges to adoption do not just come from the technical domain, but also as products of the commercial and supply chain environment. Defence maritime has traditionally contracted separately for design, build and maintenance contracts. These contracts are focused on providing physical equipment rather than data and models and this approach typically requires the involvement of multiple prime contractors for each asset through life, along with a correspondingly complex supply chain network. There is currently no mechanism to allow data and digital models to flow freely and securely through this enterprise whilst protecting Original Equipment Manufracturer’s intellectual property. It is likely that a future digital twin for defence maritime will span multiple solution platforms, multiple companies, and multiple solution platform vendors. BMT sees digital twins as a key element of industry 4.0, having seen the benefits and savings they are bringing to our customers. BMT’s Whole-of-Mine Digital Twin is just one of many bespoke examples. Built on our Remote Operations Automation and Robotics (ROAR) software platform and using lidar mapping capabilities and expertise in 3D algorithmic decision making, our solution integrates precise terrain data, machine data, health data and production metrics into a single 3D immersive and intuitive interface. This allows production teams and planners to measure, monitor, report and optimise mining operations in real-time, reducing costs and risks. BMT continues to develop and expand our digital twin technology into other submarkets, with ongoing projects that are delivering Autonomous TLO (Train Load Out) Digital Twins, Hopper Surface Mapping and Wagon Surface Mapping solutions for train unloading rail operations, for example. Other technologies are in development for Stockyard Mapping and Ship Hold Surface Mapping for bulk materials handling customers in ports. 18 19