Developing a data formalization methodology for building digital twins of air attack systems

• Ruslan Zhivotovsky

  Central Scientific Research Institute of Armament and Military Equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

The article proposes a practical, end-to-end methodology for data formalization to build digital twins of air attack systems – ballistic and cruise missiles, guided aerial bombs, and one-way attack unmanned aerial vehicles. The relevance of digital twins is substantiated: unified models reduce the volume of live testing, increase simulation fidelity, accelerate design, and support integration into the «digital battlespace». The paper outlines core concepts («source data», «formalization», «information contour»), classifies data (tactical-technical characteristics, onboard systems, scenarios, telemetry, mathematical models), and establishes completeness/credibility criteria (provenance, consistency, error). A structural scheme is proposed in which telemetry refines models, models predict behavior, and scenarios serve for verification. The methodology comprises six stages: (1) object identification and selection of the level of detail; (2) collection and classification of data from open, experimental, and regulatory sources; (3) formalization into unified formats (XML/JSON/CSV), creation of a metadata dictionary and MDM rules; (4) creation of a database and digital thread (PLM/REST/MQTT) for exchange with CAD/CAE/simulators; (5) validation and verification with sensitivity/statistical analysis (χ², t-test, RMSE, Monte Carlo); (6) software-algorithmic implementation (MATLAB/Simulink, Python, Ansys/COMSOL, STK/AGI, PostgreSQL/MongoDB, Unity/Unreal). Examples are shown for a «surface-to-surface» missile (aerodynamics, control, guidance) and a strike UAV (trajectory, INS/GNSS, telemetry), illustrating alignment of telemetry↔model↔scenario and automatic twin updates under the Digital Thread/MBSE paradigm. Practical value: the methodology ensures simulation reproducibility, experiment scalability, improved strike-planning and training quality; it lays the groundwork for interagency interoperability and metadata standardization. The following directions for further research are identified: range-based validation, quantitative uncertainty (QU) and sensitivity assessment, and development of a national metadata schema and methodological guidelines for digital twins of air attack systems.

1. Ruslan Zhivotovsky , Central Scientific Research Institute of Armament and Military Equipment of the Armed Forces of Ukraine

   Candidate of Technical Sciences, Senior Researcher

   Head of the Research Department for the Development of Armament and Military Equipment of the Air Force of Central Scientific Research Institute of Armament and Military Equipment of Armed Forces of Ukraine

   Kyiv, Ukraine

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