MIT Lincoln Laboratory (MITLL) is in the process of deploying Aras Innovator as the backbone of its new model-based digital thread. As an FFRDC, the laboratory serves a number of sponsors in the aerospace and defense industries, and sits at the very beginning of the R&D process for those organizations. From its position within an extended design chain, MITLL has a unique perspective on the digital thread and how models can be used to lean out complex business processes. This session will provide a brief review and update of MITLL’s overall project to deploy a model-based digital thread, with a quick look into one key process – ordering physical items. MITLL partner Razorleaf will add some generic context to the lab’s situation, and will provide a quick demonstration of MITLL’s physical item ordering process.