The increase in business and leisure travel across the globe has led to a massive growth in air traffic, which in turn is positively influencing the market for commercial avionics systems. On-time arrivals and efficient operations have become the need of the hour, along with the increasing expectation of air travellers for top-notch in-flight services.
To meet the needs of customers, and in order to comply with safety and governance standards, there is an impending need for the aviation industry to embrace state-of-the art avionics systems, causing the avionics industry to grow at a significant pace globally. Moreover, massive investments in military and UAV programs for the purpose of science and research are also contributing to the need for efficient hardware, software, system, and mechanical engineering systems in the avionics sector.
Understanding Recent Aerospace Trends
The international market for avionics systems is chiefly driven by increasing need for real time data to improve aircraft’s operational efficiency. Several ongoing avionics initiatives in American and European nations are expected to further boost the market in the coming years and offer new opportunities for avionics suppliers. With snowballing investments in research, development and certification in avionics safety critical modules, enhanced products are being launched by the manufacturers to improve aircraft’ performance, reduce pollution and minimize risks associated with human error during flights. Let’s look at some of the recent trends in the aerospace industry:
Predictable Maintenance Cycles: Analytics, enabled by sensors that aircraft now carry, are enabling airline companies to better plan when an aircraft needs repair or will be out of service, and what type of maintenance issues are likely to arise. Such predictions will help avoid potential parts shortages and unanticipated downtime.
Incremental Approach to Innovation: With immense developments in the aerospace industry, it is unclear whether airline companies will earn the anticipated return on their investments. To overcome this challenge, innovation must be approached in a more disciplined and incremental way, carefully determining which feature and manufacturing improvements need to be pursued.
New Engagement Models: Although most customer requirements are essential, some can be modified or eliminated without impacting the performance of the aircraft. Passing along requirements to suppliers, without assessing the inherent need for these requirements, leads to transactional inefficiencies and increased costs. Meeting customer requirements necessitates the need for adopting new engagement models.
Rapid Growth in the Supply Chain: The increase in aircraft and aircraft parts production by major aircraft makers will place immense pressure on every stakeholder in the supply chain, compelling them to embrace efficient ways to deal with high demand. The problem will be particularly critical for OEMs that have to concurrently manufacture high volumes for new product lines and continue serving their installed base.
Capability and Risk Assessments: In order to meet the growing demands of the industry, aircraft OEMs and suppliers will need to conduct supply chain capability and risk assessments to identify and address challenges. Companies will need to make enhancements to existing operating models in order to reduce supply chain complexity, and enhance tools and systems for better visibility.
Building Solutions to Meet Industry Trends
So how do aircraft companies ensure they meet these trends and satisfy the needs of customers? By incorporating modern avionics solutions of course! Several avionics solution providers are flourishing around the world who offer modern electronics and engineering systems for aircraft that help streamline the operational functions:
• Aerospace engineering services for DO-254, DO-178B, DO-178C, DO-160 and ARP-4754 compliant avionics systems for commercial, business, military and UAV programs.
• Solutions around software architecture and development compliant with EUROCADE ED-12C/RTCA, DO-178B, DO-178C and transitioning from DO-178/A/B to DO-178/C guidelines.
• Model based design compliant with EUROCADE ED-12C/RTCA, DO-178B and DO-178C guidelines
• VLSI Design and verification for FPGA, ASIC and SoC components compliant with DO-254 guidelines
• Object-oriented technology based development and verification complaint with EUROCAE ED-217/RTCA DO-332
• Tools qualification compliant with EUROCADE ED-215/RTCA DO330
• Support for DAL-A systems in compliance with FAA and EASA, addressing the business needs of global aerospace companies across hardware, software and system engineering.
In addition, system-level design, verification and validation, quality assessment, obsolescence management, and enhancement and reengineering of deployed avionics systems and periodic audits for certification is enabling aircraft companies to address the growing business needs across flight control systems, cockpit display systems, communication and navigation systems, in-flight entertainment systems, cabin management systems and surveillance systems, among others.
Move with the Times
Over the recent years, there has been substantial growth in the commercial aerospace and defense market. A number of factors such as increase in aircraft orders, growth in emerging economies, and increase in adoption of avionics systems in next-generation aircraft are driving the growth of the commercial avionics market. Such an enormous growth is compelling avionics companies to offer innovative and cost-friendly solutions in order to move with the times in this ever growing market.