Challenges and Recent Advances in Model-Based Engineering for Aerospace

Dear Colleagues,

The aerospace industry stands at the forefront of technological innovation, continually pushing the boundaries of design, reliability, and performance. One of the most transformative methodologies driving this evolution is model-based engineering (MBE). MBE shifts the traditional approach to system design, enabling engineers to conceptualize, simulate, validate, and optimize complex systems digitally before physical prototypes are ever constructed—the digital twin (DT) concept. This approach enhances collaboration across disciplines, improves design quality, and shortens development cycles—critical benefits in an industry where precision and timeliness are paramount.

This Special Issue of aerospace focuses on the challenges and recent advances in MBE specifically applied to aerospace. The complexity of modern aerospace systems, from aircraft to spacecraft, demands tools and techniques that facilitate innovative design and the reuse of proven systems and components. By leveraging digital models, MBE allows for comprehensive integration across the entire product lifecycle, from initial design to deployment and maintenance. As aerospace systems become more modular and interconnected, efficiently reusing models and designs is increasingly essential for reducing costs and accelerating time-to-market.

In this Issue, we will present cutting-edge research and case studies that illustrate how MBE is being applied to the design and reuse in aerospace, addressing challenges such as scalability, interoperability, and real-time simulation. The contributions span various topics, including model-driven architectures, advanced simulation techniques, digital twins, and reusable design frameworks. Each paper provides valuable insights into the role of MBE in advancing aerospace engineering capabilities, offering both theoretical advancements and practical applications.

Prof. Dr. Fernando Mas
Dr. Anderson Luis Szejka
Prof. Dr. Osiris Canciglieri Junior
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

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Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Aerospace is an international peer-reviewed open access monthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2400 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

• model-based engineering (MBE)
• model-based system engineering (MBSE)
• aerospace
• knowledge-based engineering (KBE)
• digital twin (DT)
• ontology
• semantics