Airbus, DNV

RDS Reference Architecture for Digital Continuity

Airbus and DNV are collaborating on a use case to define an RDS-based reference architecture that supports digital continuity (digital thread) across complex engineering and manufacturing ecosystems. The work uses IEC/ISO 81346 Reference Designation Structure (RDS) as a shared semantic backbone to connect information across disciplines, tools and lifecycle stages—helping organizations move from fragmented data silos to interoperable, context-rich information.

What we are piloting

  • Define a practical reference architecture pattern where RDS designations act as stable “tags” that link data across engineering, manufacturing, and operations contexts.
  • Clarify how multiple RDS aspects (e.g., functional, product, location, procedural) can be combined to represent real industrial workflows and digital threads.
  • Establish guidance for mapping existing tool and data landscapes to an RDS-based backbone (without forcing a single-vendor stack).
  • Capture lessons learned that can be reused across industries (aerospace, wind, maritime and beyond).

Why it matters for RDS4X

  • Demonstrates how RDS can scale as a common language for interoperability - across domains, suppliers, and large tool ecosystems.
  • Provides reference architecture building blocks that other RDS4X use cases can adopt (e.g., wind digital twins, cost modelling, requirements and verification).
  • Connects standard-based designation (RDS) with emerging ontology and knowledge graph practices to support AI-ready, context-rich information.
  • Supports the RDS4X roadmap ambition of moving from “standards in documents” to “standards in operating models”.

Use case outline

The collaboration iterates on a reference architecture that uses RDS as the “connective tissue” between systems: defining core object types and relationships, selecting representative scenarios, and validating how RDS designations can link and query information across multiple data sources. Outcomes are distilled into reusable patterns and recommendations that can be applied in other sectors via RDS4X.

Timeline & status

The use case is progressed through regular joint working sessions, supported by a biweekly progress meeting cadence. A main objective is to consolidate a shareable reference architecture description and learnings during 2026.

Partners

Airbus and DNV collaborate on the use case, combining Airbus’s large-scale experience with RDS as a “common language” and DNV’s cross-industry perspective on reference models, digital assurance and interoperability.

Expected outcomes

  • Assess status up against the prevailing RDS4X roadmap
  • A clear, shareable description of an RDS-based reference architecture pattern for digital continuity.
  • Guidance on how to combine RDS aspects and relationships to represent cross-disciplinary scenarios.
  • Practical recommendations for mapping tool landscapes and data sources to an RDS semantic backbone.
  • Reusable learnings that can inform RDS4X guidance and other lighthouse use cases.