Aerospace & Defense Suppliers
Shifting demands in aerospace and defense requires new supplier strategies to deliver on time, on target and on cost.
What are the Trends Changing the Supplier Landscape?
The Aerospace & Defense industry is known for its complexity, high standards, and significant impact on global transportation and defense capabilities. Technological and environmental leaps are reshaping the industry. What are they and how will they affect your business?
- Manufacturing Agility
- Aircraft Complexity
- New Markets
Maximizing the Benefits of Agile Manufacturing
DELMIA
Aerospace & Defense
Manufacturing Agility
How do you cope with the highly variable market demand?
Commercial airframe manufacturers are sitting on purchase orders backlogs equivalent to about eight years’ worth of production. While continuously increasing their production rates, airframe manufacturers are demanding more visibility into their suppliers’ production and sourcing plans, hoping to gain more advance warning of possible supply chain disruptions.
To meet the demand peaks, suppliers must reorganize their manufacturing plants to make them leaner, more agile and more connected in order to drive operational efficiency.
Also transforming their manufacturing operations by adopting new technologies such as robotics, additive manufacturing, IoT, augmented reality or AI is key for differentiation and for attracting new customers.
Maximizing the Benefits of Agile Manufacturing in Aerospace & Defense
Digitally transform Aerospace & Defense manufacturing to take advantage of the Next Normal.
Digitalization: The Smart Path to Supplier Development and Program Success
Digitalization offers suppliers the ability to streamline processes, align with OEM customers, and improve performance and responsiveness. How will suppliers in the Aerospace & Defense industry meet the challenge?
Aircraft Complexity
How do you develop and deliver more complex designs while protecting your margin?
While aerospace and defense suppliers are now accountable to drive significant cost reduction and ensure higher levels of quality, they must also create increasingly complex components and sub-systems to meet OEMs’ demand for innovation. This requires serious investment in new engineering and manufacturing capabilities to increase innovation and drive costs down, to ensure consistency and traceability of all products and process information, and to comply with programs and regulations requirements, while protecting vital intellectual property.
Supplier-created content represents 50-60 percent of the value of an aerospace system.
Breaking the Barriers to Innovation
The new aerospace pioneers of the 21st century.
New Markets
How do you enable diversification and expansion into new markets?
Today, we are part of a new century of powered flight and space exploration. We see the emergence of players that are disrupting the mobility market with innovative configurations. Space companies are lowering cost to access space with their reusable launchers and innovative technologies, while aviation companies are also reinventing and reinvigorating their businesses by accelerating zero emission aircraft innovations.
This transformation requires a new supply chain model, where all players in the value chain would be key to achieve these new market penetrations. It would only be possible with strong collaboration and transparency between OEMs and their suppliers to accelerate program development and overcome any new technological barriers.
Insights from Safran
Frederic Vetil
Vice President Manufacturing 4.0 Safran Group
Innovations and Technologies in Aerospace
Technological advancements are at the heart of the aerospace industry's evolution. Innovations such as additive manufacturing (3D printing), artificial intelligence, and the Internet of Things (IoT) are revolutionizing production processes. These technologies enable manufacturers to create more complex designs, improve efficiency, and reduce costs. The adoption of augmented reality and robotics further enhances manufacturing precision and worker safety.
Challenges Facing Aerospace Companies
Despite the advancements, aerospace manufacturers face several challenges. Supply chain disruptions, regulatory compliance, and the need for significant investment in new technologies are major hurdles. Additionally, the industry must address environmental concerns, such as reducing carbon emissions and developing sustainable practices. The competition for skilled labor is another challenge, as manufacturers need a workforce adept at handling advanced technologies and complex production processes.
The Future of Aerospace Manufacturing
The future of aerospace manufacturing looks promising, driven by continuous innovation and a focus on sustainability. Companies are investing in green technologies, such as electric and hydrogen-powered aircraft, to reduce environmental impact. The increasing use of data analytics and digital twins will enhance production efficiency and product quality. Collaboration across the supply chain will be crucial to overcoming technological and regulatory challenges, ensuring the industry’s growth and resilience.
FAQ
The aerospace supply chain involves a network of suppliers providing components, systems, and services to aircraft and spacecraft manufacturers. It includes raw material suppliers, component manufacturers, sub-assembly producers, and final assembly companies. The supply chain is characterized by its complexity, need for high precision, and stringent quality standards.
Tier 1 suppliers in aerospace are companies that supply major systems or components directly to the original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) like Boeing and Airbus. These suppliers provide critical parts such as engines, avionics, and landing gear.
A tier 2 supplier in aerospace provides components or sub-assemblies to tier 1 suppliers. They do not deal directly with the OEMs but play a crucial role in the supply chain. Tier 2 suppliers produce parts such as fasteners, brackets, and wiring systems that are integrated into larger systems by tier 1 suppliers.
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