Senior System Engineer Gene Shreve shares how CATIA solutions (CATIA Magic/CAMEO), combined with Model-Based System Engineering (MBSE) and SysML, helps his team tame complexity, enhance collaboration, and deliver mission-critical solutions safely and efficiently.
Bridging Defense & Engineering: Confronting Complexity
Gene Shreve, a Senior System Engineer at i3 Corporations in Huntsville, Alabama, has dedicated decades to supporting defense projects.
The bottom line is we’re trying to support our soldiers and give them state-of-the-art platforms to keep them safe and to make sure that they all come home.
i3 operates across multiple engineering disciplines—from mechanical and electrical engineering to aeronautics and hypersonics. The complexity of their projects is immense. MBSE provides a structured approach to divide these challenges into manageable parts while enabling communication from the junior engineer to senior military leadership.
And the problems that we’re facing today are just getting more complex. So what model-based system engineering does is it allows us a means to manage that complexity, divide it up into smaller chunks that are much more manageable…
CATIA as the Engine of Digital Engineering
CATIA solutions, paired with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, is central to i3’s ability to execute MBSE effectively. Gene highlights how the platform supports seamless integration across tools:
Without any code, we had Teamwork Cloud up with the standard API, and another tool implementing the v2 standard API, and they were readily just sharing information back and forth. And It was wonderful to see.
This integration allows i3 engineers to develop digital threads that link disciplines dynamically, reducing errors, accelerating design cycles, and enabling more robust system simulations. The move from SysML v1 to v2 amplifies these capabilities, providing a modern standard for MBSE that supports real-time collaboration.
From Digital Twins to Real-World Solutions
Creating digital twins—accurate, dynamic representations of real-world systems—requires connecting engineering data across disciplines. Gene emphasizes:
In order to develop a digital twin, you gotta have threads through your engineering process that dynamically link information from the different engineering disciplines together.
CATIA solutions enables i3 to integrate real-world constraints, from material properties to physical laws, while supporting collaborative workflows. This ensures that simulations and designs are not only accurate but actionable, directly informing decisions that affect mission success.
Cultural Transformation: Collaboration as a Strategic Advantage
Beyond tools and technology, CATIA solutions with MBSE are transforming i3’s engineering culture. Teams can share data, communicate insights, and make collective decisions faster and more effectively. Gene notes:
MBSE in the digital thread is a game changer… it gives us a format to where we can communicate from the lowest engineer that’s working on a project all the way up to the general.
This collaborative mindset drives innovation, strengthens team alignment, and ensures every project is executed with precision and agility.
Conclusion
At i3 Corporations, CATIA solutions, MBSE, and SysML v2 aren’t just software—they’re enablers of innovation, collaboration, and mission-critical engineering. By connecting people, processes, and data, the company can manage complexity, accelerate design cycles, and deliver cutting-edge solutions that protect lives.
FAQ
What is MBSE, and why is it important for defense engineering?
MBSE (Model-Based System Engineering) is a methodology that uses models to manage system complexity. It allows teams to visualize, simulate, and communicate design across multiple disciplines, which is critical for complex defense projects.
How do CATIA solutions support MBSE and SysML v2?
CATIA solutions, such as CATIA Magic and CAMEO, integrated with the 3DEXPERIENCE platform, enable engineers to create digital threads, integrate multidisciplinary data, and implement SysML v2 standards enhancing collaboration and accuracy.
What is a digital twin, and how does CATIA help create it?
A digital twin is a dynamic virtual model of a real-world system. CATIA solutions allows engineers to link materials, physics, and cross-disciplinary data to build accurate simulations for better decision-making.
How has SysML v2 improved i3 Corporations’ workflows?
SysML v2 provides modern APIs and improved standards for MBSE, enabling seamless tool integration, real-time collaboration, and faster execution of complex engineering projects.
What cultural changes does digital engineering bring?
Digital engineering fosters collaboration, data sharing, and cross-disciplinary communication, ensuring all team members—from engineers to leadership—are aligned and informed.