The aerospace and defense industry is undergoing rapid transformation fueled by geopolitical shifts, evolving industry standards, and technological innovation. Businesses are facing mounting pressures to drive efficiency, reduce risks, and meet strict compliance and quality expectations.
To be competitive, businesses across the defense industry and commercial aviation sector must ensure efficient operations that reduce costs while meeting rigid safety standards. Achieving this objective requires embracing digital transformation in manufacturing, not just for survival but to deliver high-quality products, support mission-critical operations, and meet business goals across the project lifecycle.
Spanning commercial aerospace, military defense, and space exploration, the aerospace industry operates with complex products, long lead times, and high customer demands. Government contractors as well as privately run aerospace and defense organizations manage billions in contracts while adhering to strict compliance requirements.
These challenges require modernized software that can streamline the manufacturing process, improve supply chain management, and enforce regulatory compliance.
Technology development and the latest trends in both the defense industry and commercial aviation have introduced new challenges in managing production complexity, responding to supply chain disruptions, and navigating global regulations.
To adapt, many aerospace and defense companies (A&D) are adopting integrated solutions like Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) solutions, Manufacturing Execution System (MES), Advanced Planning and Scheduling (APS) software, Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, and Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) platforms tailored to their specific operational needs.
Today, more than ever, commercial aviation and defense contractors need to find and maintain a competitive edge in their market areas. Customers, whether privately owned organizations or governmental agencies, want their commercial and defense products to reach the market faster. Capitalizing on the available manufacturing technologies is the best way to meet these expectations.
Organizations rely on dedicated technology and a suite of specialized tools to manage production processes and drive operational efficiency:
MES/MOM for tracking and execution
ERP systems for financial and contract management
PLM software to manage design and engineering revisions
APS software for constraint-based scheduling
These platforms, especially in defense aerospace, must be built to handle classified information, complex assemblies, and evolving standards.
Ineffective strategies and outdated solutions derail supply chain management and production operations. Implementing cutting-edge defense software is the best way to future-proof manufacturing operations across teams and divisions.
Digital transformation in the A&D industry settings is enabling a shift toward smart factories and intelligent operations. This transformation goes beyond IT upgrades—it’s about reshaping how companies work, manage data, and serve their customers.
The top benefits of digital transformation in manufacturing include:
40–60% reduction in quality defects
15–25% improvements in Overall Equipment Effectiveness (OEE)
Lower operating costs through process automation
Paperless operations enabling end-to-end visibility
Real-world digital transformation examples in manufacturing processes highlight significant performance gains:
Reduce operating costs and boost productivity
Minimize downtime with predictive maintenance
Improve component traceability for better quality control
Automate approvals and quality checks efficiently
These outcomes support improved agility, faster development from initial design to finished product, and on-time delivery, which translates to happier customers and repeat business.
Dedicated software must provide features and functionalities that streamline A&D production processes to help companies overcome challenges.
An industry-specific MES/MOM system provides:
Component-level traceability
Enforced inspection and quality controls
Real-time visibility from the supply network through the shop floor to executive dashboards
Integrated contract management and materials validation
The right aerospace and defense software will automate audits and document retention to meet:
Meeting these industry standards is vital for defense manufacturers handling sensitive programs while protecting their customers' data.
A fully integrated suite provides a seamless experience across the production process, connecting design, production, and maintenance. This fosters true digital transformation through:
Unified data flows
Streamlined scheduling
Better collaboration across departments
A single-platform strategy reduces redundancy and operational silos while enabling:
Standardized execution
Configuration control across sites
Centralized governance over defense software deployments
Cloud solutions are transforming how aerospace and defense manufacturers manage infrastructure, access data, and collaborate.
Key benefits include:
Scalable deployment
Lower IT overhead
Enhanced cybersecurity compliance
Rapid updates and real-time access
Reduced software maintenance costs
Cloud-based data management allows for:
Global synchronization of production data
Instant updates to BOMs and routing
Accurate KPIs for real-time decision making
These capabilities are critical for aerospace and defense organizations managing global supply chains.
Andea worked with SNC to develop a Manufacturing Planning and Execution Platform using DELMIA Apriso. The goal: ensure visibility, traceability, and compliance across production.
This initiative shows how digital transformation can reshape defense operations. Read the full case study.
Andea supported Bombardier in overcoming significant MES scalability and traceability challenges in its commercial aerospace operations.
With Andea’s guidance, the company leveraged DELMIA to:
Enhance process visibility
Reduce manual documentation
Improve regulatory compliance
A top digital transformation example in manufacturing with proven ROI.
Modern MES/APS systems align production with real-time supply chain conditions. Benefits include:
10%
10% increase in production efficiency by 10%
50%
50% shorter production cycles
Better responsiveness to changes in the supply network
Software platforms now provide live alerts and resolution workflows to drive agility and support continuous improvement initiatives. They address:
Material shortages
Quality deviations
Scheduling delays
Leading defense and space companies use this technology to ensure innovative products are tested virtually before deployment. Digital twins simulate real-world operations, enabling:
Validation before production
Maintenance scenario planning
Stress-testing under mission conditions
Advanced MES platforms help ensure a skilled, safe, and audit-ready workforce by offering tools for:
Skill-based work assignment
Electronic work instructions
Digital logs for safety compliance
Some benefits of digital transformation in manufacturing at scale include:
50%
50% improvement in milestone completion rates
$3M
~$3M annual savings via predictive scheduling
20%
20% faster implementation of engineering changes
90%
90% reduction in paper-based records
To maintain compliance, meet delivery goals, and remain secure, A&D firms must evolve with tech. Emerging tech and advanced analytics will drive future change through:
AI-driven forecasting
Blockchain for supply visibility
Autonomous production lines
Aerospace and defense manufacturers operate in an extremely highly regulated market and must digitize to remain competitive. From reducing errors to improving traceability, the path forward is paved by smart, connected software.
Platforms like DELMIA Apriso and DELMIA Ortems offer the foundation for operational excellence. They represent the next step in the digital transformation of the A&D industry, enabling companies to drive efficiency, reduce risks, and shape the future of the global A&D market.
It refers to the integration of digital technologies like MES, ERP, and cloud solutions to improve compliance, efficiency, and traceability across operations.
Business benefits include improved operational efficiency, cost reduction, real-time data access, better quality control, and easier regulatory compliance.
MES/MOM software enables full traceability, quality assurance, audit readiness, and integration with ERP/PLM systems, which are essential in highly regulated sectors and markets.
Cloud-based, cloud-native, and cloud-enabled solutions offer scalable infrastructure, advanced security, real-time collaboration, and compliance with ITAR, NIST, and CMMC standards.
A digital thread connects every stage of the manufacturing lifecycle, from design through development to delivery, ensuring data continuity and process transparency.
Andea’s collaborations with Bombardier and SNC are prime examples of improving traceability, scheduling, and compliance using DELMIA solutions to support business development.
Solutions like DELMIA Apriso and DELMIA Ortems, integrated with ERP and PLM systems, are ideal for enhancing quality, planning, and compliance in A&D operations, all while reducing operating costs.