Military Embedded Systems

Aerospace and defense (A&D) manufacturers caught up with implementing Industry 4.0 technologies and processes, but now they are facing a new evolution coming in the form of Industry 5.0. The newest iteration could have a number of implications for A&D manufacturers – from cobots and build-to-order to assistive wearables and hyperglobization pullback. The upshot? The humans are back in charge.

The deployed assets of the defense industry are undergoing constant technology improvements, but along with advancement and digital development comes the need to upgrade cybersecurity to support these changes. Some statistics predict that more than 50% of businesses could experience a data breach during 2023, so cybersecurity – particularly in the critical military arena – must keep pace with technological advances in order to secure all assets and associated data. New land, sea, and space technologies will all require a strong cyber backbone.

The use of unmanned systems in defense is increasing: With the intricacy and operational complexity of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) growing even as footprints shrink, support and sustainment for these assets are becoming high priorities. Supporting software must link data throughout the processes of stakeholders of OEMs, defense forces, and defense contractors before manufacturers can realize the full possibilities of unmanned vehicles, both large and small.

An all-important data thread underpins several forward-looking predictions for the future of defense logistics and support: The development of servitized equipment support, the rise of the digital shipyard, and the growing use of unmanned systems in military operations.