Innovating at the Speed of Relevance

In today’s high-stakes aerospace and defense (A&D) environment, speed isn’t just a competitive advantage—it’s a mission-critical imperative. As global threats evolve and strategic priorities shift, A&D organizations are under pressure to deliver next-generation systems faster than ever. From uncrewed vehicles to advanced fighter jets, the demand is clear: innovate with urgency.

Accelerating this innovation is no small feat. The industry is defined by complex supply chains, stringent regulations, and legacy systems that often hinder agility. To meet the moment, A&D leaders must embrace digital transformation—not as a buzzword, but as a strategic necessity.

Modern defense systems are increasingly defined by software, meaning agile workflows, model-based systems engineering, and digital collaboration are paramount. PTC is helping A&D organizations navigate this transformation. With decades of experience and a robust digital engineering suite, PTC empowers teams to design, manufacture, and sustain the world’s most complex aerospace and weapon systems. Here’s how leading organizations are adopting these next-gen technologies to stay ahead.  

Accelerating R&D

Speeding up research and development is essential. Agile workflows and modular system design allow teams to iterate quickly, ultimately reducing costs and delivering capabilities faster. PTC’s digital engineering tools support system-level simulations, end-to-end traceability, and seamless integration of hardware and software requirements—enabling faster, smarter development cycles.

Building Compliance into the Process

As software becomes more central to defense systems, compliance requirements grow more complex. PTC’s solutions help teams embed compliance into the development process from the start. Centralized requirements management and design-for-compliance workflows ensure that both hardware and software meet evolving standards—without slowing down innovation.

Enabling Seamless Collaboration

A&D programs often involve multiple contractors, suppliers, and stakeholders. Effective collaboration is essential. PTC’s digital thread provides a single source of truth for real-time product data, breaking down silos and enabling secure, efficient data sharing across the ecosystem. This not only protects intellectual property but also accelerates delivery and improves product quality.

Managing Complexity and Scaling Production

A&D products are inherently complex, with countless components and configurations. PTC’s model-based development approach helps manage this complexity by standardizing processes across the board. This streamlines communication across engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams—reducing errors and improving efficiency.

In addition to rising product complexity, manufacturers face record-high order backlogs. PTC’s digital solutions help scale production by connecting engineering and manufacturing through a unified digital thread. This accelerates time-to-market and reduces costly rework.

Real-World Impact

PTC’s impact is already being felt across the industry:

• Jacobs Engineering uses PTC’s CAD tools to optimize NASA’s life support systems, improving astronaut mobility and fuel efficiency.
• Lufthansa Technik leverages PTC’s PLM and CAD solutions to boost enterprise-wide transparency and efficiency.
• GE Aviation exceeded service revenue goals by 130% using PTC’s service lifecycle management tools.
• The U.S. Air Force adopted immersive training powered by PTC’s digital transformation technologies, enhancing readiness and effectiveness.

Ready for What’s Next

Aerospace and defense organizations can’t afford to be slowed down by outdated tools and processes. With PTC’s digital engineering solutions, A&D leaders are not just keeping up—they’re setting the pace. By accelerating R&D, enhancing collaboration, and ensuring mission readiness, they’re building the future of aerospace and defense at the speed of relevance.

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