The future of Aerospace Manufacturing - 3 trends to watch

At Atlas Copco, we work with leading aerospace manufacturers. We believe that three major factors will define the future of aerospace manufacturing: building a stronger supply chain, using more digital technology in production, and reducing the industry’s environmental impact.

Here’s how these trends are shaping the future of the aerospace industry and how Smart Manufacturing can pave the way forward. 

According to the latest industry report from the trade association, ADS, over 300 commercial aircraft were placed on order in Q1 of 2024, which was a 9% year-on-year improvement. However, capacity challenges and delays across the complex supply chain have resulted in a 12% YoY decrease in aircraft deliveries. The backlog continues to reach record-breaking numbers, with nearly 16,000 airframes still to be produced. This is equivalent to nearly 13 years of production at the world’s leading two manufacturers.

It is evident that the growing market demand calls for improved supply chain resilience. This can be attained through Smart Manufacturing.

In the aerospace industry, supply chains are complex, and any delays or problems can cause significant issues. Smart Manufacturing enhances supply chain resilience by providing end-to-end visibility into the production cycle. Manufacturers can adapt quickly to changes in demand, optimise inventory levels, and respond promptly to unforeseen challenges, ensuring a more agile and robust supply chain ecosystem. 

The aerospace sector is incredibly important to the UK economy – the country hosts the second largest aerospace industry in the world after the United States. And it’s only growing: in 2023, the aerospace sector, including space and defence, added £38.2 billion to the UK economy, representing a 50% increase over the last 10 years. According to the trade association, ADS, businesses in these sectors saw a 40% increase in turnover during 2023, reaching £88.4 billion.

The international aviation market is also recovering rapidly from the effects of the global pandemic. However, reaching the target of ‘net zero’ flying by 2050 as outlined in the UK government’s Jet Zero strategy is challenging. In fact, at current rates, aviation is expected to become one of the largest emitting sectors by 2050. 

That said, the aerospace sector is very much a part of the solution to managing the issues around climate change, rather than just being an isolated contributor of carbon emissions. This makes decarbonising aviation one of the key trends in the industry.

How can sustainability be achieved? A key part of driving sustainability and decarbonisation in manufacturing is transitioning to electric smart tooling.

By adopting electric tools powered by a consistent energy source, aerospace manufacturers can increase productivity while consuming less energy. This leads to more efficient operations, which in turn lower the carbon footprint and contribute to better environmental outcomes for both the organisation and the industry as a whole.

The aerospace industry is rapidly embracing digitisation, a trend that is revolutionising how aircraft are designed, manufactured, and maintained.

At the core of the digitisation movement is Smart Manufacturing. It represents a transition from conventional manufacturing practices to the seamless integration of digital technologies into every aspect of the production cycle.

Smart Manufacturing offers aerospace manufacturers the tools they need to streamline processes, improve quality, and meet both market demands and sustainability goals. This transformation is essential for keeping up with production challenges and supporting the long-term growth of the industry.

One of the most significant advantages of digitisation is the ability to leverage data for optimising manufacturing processes. By collecting and analysing vast amounts of data, manufacturers can identify inefficiencies, bottlenecks, and opportunities for improvement. This data-driven approach enables full traceability of the assembly process, allowing companies to track every component and step, ensuring compliance with quality standards and regulatory requirements.

Automation also plays a crucial role in this shift. Though full automation is challenging in aerospace due to the complexity of aircraft, automated and AI-powered systems enhance accuracy and consistency in many areas.

Atlas Copco’s Smart Integrated Assembly provides a comprehensive solution for manufacturers looking to implement Smart Factories. As the aerospace industry moves toward digitalisation and data-driven production, transitioning from traditional tools to smart technologies will deliver a significant positive impact on the journey to decarbonising aviation.

Want to learn more about our offering and how Smart Integrated Assembly can transform your operations? Discover our Smart Factory offerings here.