Monday, August 19, 2024 Istari Digital is set to transform aviation with its latest project involving the Lockheed Martin Skunk Works® X-56A, which is poised to become the first aircraft globally to receive digital certification. Last year, the United States Air Force granted Istari Digital a $19 million contract to lead the pioneering Flyer Øne program, named in tribute to the Wright Brothers. This innovative initiative aims to develop and obtain flight certification for a digital twin prior to its physical construction, setting a new standard for accelerating aircraft development to match the swift advancements in software engineering.
While digital certification is routine in industries like Formula 1 racing, it’s unprecedented in aviation. “It’s not as futuristic as it sounds,” said Will Roper, Istari Digital founder and CEO. “For a new aircraft variant, if the structure and flight dynamics can be simulated accurately, physical prototypes become the slow lane.
Hardware as software is the fast lane.” Istari Digital has previously been tight-lipped about the specifics of their aircraft and industry partners. In an exclusive reveal, they shared the exciting news.
“Having just passed a major Design Review, we’re thrilled to announce the modification of the Skunk Works X-56A is on track to achieve the first digital flight release,” Roper said . “The United States Air Force X-Plane program has a storied history of breaking physical boundaries—from the so.