Digital material management can accelerate the process of turning capabilities from concept to deployment, giving warfighters an edge over adversaries, according to a Department of the Air Force official. During a presentation at Wright State University, Kyle Hurst, chief of the Air Force Digital Transformation Office, said DMM can address challenges related to the speed at which capability is developed.
“DMM is a way to go fast,“ he told the audience.
Air Force’s Long Development Timelines
Hurst pointed out that it takes China about seven years to push out a new capability to warfighters, giving troops more time to train and develop a concept of operations. For comparison, the U.S. spends about 16 years building and deploying a weapon system.
The official also compared the current process of weapon deployment to World War II. He revealed that it took the military 102 days from the initial contract award to roll out the first P-51 Mustang single-engine fighter aircraft from the production lines and another 50 days for the fleet to take to the skies.
How DMM Could Help
DMM, he said, can improve the development process by allowing leaders to make more informed decisions.
He mentioned a recent project at Tyndall Air Force Base, where civil engineers got to see a digital twin of the base infrastructure. The digital twin provided a better map that helped determine what parts are needed and where civil engineers should go.
“This digital approach helps with proactive decision-making and efficiency, ensuring that our teams are always one step ahead,” he explained.
Hurst added that DMM is already showing positive impacts in traffic flow management and aircrew scheduling.
Join Kyle Hurst and other government leaders as they discuss the benefits of adopting technology-forward solutions at the Potomac Officers Club’s 2025 Digital Transformation Summit on April 24. Register for the event here.
