MITRE’s Response to the NSTC RFI on Digital Twins R&D

What’s the issue? The National Science and Technology Council (NSTC) requested input in the development of a national digital twins (DT) R&D strategy.

What did we do? The Center for Data-Driven Policy led a cross-MITRE analysis of the potential components proposed for the strategy and provided data-driven input on where and how to focus future federal research.

What did we find? In addition to providing comments on proposed strategy components, MITRE provided several overarching recommendations for advancing DT technology:

• Establish a National DT R&D Ecosystem: MITRE emphasized the importance of creating a unified ecosystem to foster collaboration, share knowledge, and drive innovation. This includes establishing a national DT repository to store and share models and data, thereby accelerating DT development and implementation.
• Standardize DT Terminology and Implementation Approaches: MITRE highlighted the need for common terminology and lightweight frameworks to enhance interoperability and reusability across sectors, facilitating better collaboration and innovation.
• Manage Data, Security, and Trustworthiness: Effective DT implementation requires robust data management, stringent security, and trustworthiness. MITRE recommended advanced data-governance frameworks and cybersecurity protocols to ensure the reliability and security of DT systems.
• Foster Collaboration, Workforce Development, and Training: MITRE stressed the importance of cross-disciplinary collaboration and the development of educational programs to cultivate a skilled workforce capable of driving innovation in DT technology.