India has been the global delivery hub for design and engineering talent...

While the Aerospace and Defence sector shines throughout, there is a need to focus on the players that have facilitated the industry with research and innovation and have found their purpose in contributing to the tech that will shape the future of aviation. The solutions industry has enabled the sector to grow and create efficient products that are sustainable and goal oriented. Based on this, Shobha Kulavil, Vice President and Industry Platform Leader for Aerospace and Defence, Capgemini discuss with Vishal Kashyap, Managing Editor, Aviation World on how to create solutions rooted in sustainability which are need of the hour

- Vishal Kashyap

What are some of the technology trends emerging in the aerospace sector?

Aerospace and Defence Industry has witnessed the fastest and most unexpected spring back from the pandemic. There is a mounting orderbook both in Commercial and Defence Sector which means the ramp-up in the industry will need to be approximately 2X. The industry has always been an early adopter of Digital Technologies. The steep Ramp-up in the industry makes it even more imperative to ensure the industry is a completely digitally empowered and digitally ready here and now. Aerospace and Defence OEMs are also focussing on enhanced and smart products by new and connected technology adoption in communication, navigation, surveillance and many more domains of product play. Continual improvements in fuel efficiency blended with the need to reduce carbon footprint and achieve the net zero vision is driving the path to Sustainable Aviation Fuel and Hybrid Propulsion systems.

How modern technologies such as AI/ML, Manufacturing 4.0, IoT, AR/VR are benefiting the industry players fit into the digital era and supporting in driving the next phase of growth?

The propelled growth in the Aerospace & Defence (A&D) industry also comes with challenge of acute skill shortage and talent depletion across the value stream especially in the manufacturing and MRO segment.

New-age technologies and processes such as cybersecurity, robotics and automation, 3D printing, new manufacturing techniques, virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), the Internet of Things (IoT), big data, alternative fuels and energy sources, new aircraft designs, alternative modes of rapid transit, and geospatial technology will be prominent in the future of the aerospace sector.