Tyndall Air Force Base rebuilt with Digital Twin Technology and expertise from ERDC

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center (ERDC) has partnered with Tyndall Air Force Base to complete a multi-billion dollar reconstruction project, with a focus on building a smarter and more capable installation, known as an “Installation of the Future”.

The ERDC has placed Senior Scientific Technical Manager Lance Marrano on site to serve as a science and technology advisor and assist with navigating technological innovations during the reconstruction process. Marrano also leads research for the Department of Defense’s initiative on sustainability, technology and adaptability.

The ERDC and Marrano have utilized digital twin technology to create a virtual replica of Tyndall Air Force Base. This technology allows for virtual walkthroughs of construction plans, enabling users to provide feedback and make changes before actual construction begins. This quick turnaround time has been critical to the success of the project. Marrano credits the Defense Research and Engineering Network connection and RDE services for making it possible.

The ERDC’s efforts at Tyndall Air Force Base will have far-reaching impacts throughout the Air Force and enable the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to enhance the delivery of facilities to Army customers. The ERDC’s Construction Engineering and Research Laboratory, Environmental Laboratory and Coastal and Hydraulics Laboratory are also utilizing digital twin technology to expand their research.

The Hololab, which opened in March 2022, serves as a portal for exploring everything from planning and design to security vulnerabilities. The lab enables remote accessibility, and upcoming enhancements include the ability to visualize flooding and storm surge using CHL’s hurricane models to better identify and prepare vulnerable facilities.