Feature: Avionics
Secure, trusted and traceable supply chains are vital in aerospace
and defence applications, such as avionics (the electronic systems, instrumentation and equipment used in aircraſt) – especially for hi- rel (high reliability) and mission-critical applications. Compared to commercial sector applications such as computing, communications, automotive or consumer electronics, supply chains throughout the aerospace and defence ecosystem face some specific challenges. Critically, aerospace and defence contracts typically demand long-
Secure supply chains for avionics applications
By Adam Potter, Aerospace & Defence project manager, Princeps
M
ost electronics design engineers rely on component distributors to provide an easy, accessible and reliable channel to help them source the parts they need for their projects. While requirements – including breadth and depth of range, cost, and
access to technical support – may vary between industries and applications, supply chains for aerospace and defence projects oſten have unique challenges. Large-scale programmes – from avionics to complete bespoke state-of-the-art aircraſt, ships or land vehicles (plus supporting systems and equipment) – traditionally require decades to develop, billions to procure and entire sub-economies to manufacture and maintain.
32 September 2024
www.electronicsworld.co.uk
term commitments spanning decades, with platforms requiring ongoing maintenance and upgrades. Te electronic components crucial for advanced defence systems must be readily available throughout these extended service lifecycles – and so were oſten designed and sourced via bespoke development programmes in the past. Tis contrasts starkly with the commercial sector, where innovation, demand and design drives shorter product cycles, encouraging regular component replacements and upgrades, using standard parts. But as technology has advanced at pace, and usage of sophisticated
semiconductor-based electronics, computing and digital capabilities has increased, defence procurement has increasingly come to rely on COTS technologies, components and suppliers – potentially leaving Western nations vulnerable, as adversaries employ new generations of vastly less expensive, more accessible digital capabilities.
Advanced defence technologies “Defence is being disrupted by new technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI), autonomous systems, robotics, ubiquitous sensors, and low-cost access to space,” warned former national security advisor, Christian Brose in testimony to the US House Armed Services Committee. “Low-cost robotic vehicles, AI-enabled loitering munitions, digital targeting systems, cyber weapons, persistent communications and surveillance satellites, and other advanced capabilities… are transforming the modern battlefield.” Early adoption and heavy R&D (research and development) investment
in semiconductors from the defence sector helped fund, establish and grow the chip industry. It also helped pioneer the widespread use of semiconductors in everyday life seen today, where chips are the essential component (the brains, if you will) of the electronics powering all manner of everyday devices, products and systems, enabling advances in computing, networking and communications, power, lighting, sensing, healthcare, transportation and countless other applications.
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