Systems and methods for controlling powerplants that include and/or leverage one or more health models to proactively optimize component life or minimize damage of one or more components of the powerplant are provided. In one exemplary aspect, a control system for a powerplant feeds engine data into one or more health models. The health models output health data indicative of a condition of one or more components of the powerplant. The control system utilizes the health data outputs to proactively control the components of the powerplant in such a way so as to optimize component life/damage.