Aerospace and Defense Obsolescence Management Can Be Proactive

Component obsolescence is more commonly found in consumer electronics segments, and there are inherent risks and rewards that hinge on companies' abilities to manage it proactively. 

From concerns of component integrity to the safety of the consumers, printed circuit board (PCB) designers have many elements to consider when integrating supply chains into their work. Likewise there are actions they can take (and solutions to adopt) that will make them better-equipped to tackle obsolescence, saving time, money, and collective efforts from teams to pinpoint problems and resolve them. 

Apply these principles to high-risk industries like aerospace and defense, and obsolescence management can have a profound impact on entire nations. Generally speaking, most authorities discuss the cost implications of obsolescence, but secure communications channels, satellite systems and space technologies, military aircraft operations, and military supply chains can all become vulnerable without an air-tight system for managing obsolescence.

Managing Obsolescence in Aerospace and Defense

These sectors require different treatment to the fast-paced consumer electronics market. Dependent on highly reliable parts, the throwaway culture of consumer industries is unsuitable for aerospace and defense—also built on highly-reliable systems with little-to-no room for downtime. 

Obsolescence in the consumer segment can be highly disruptive to a number of teams in the procurement process, which can further impact a company's wider supply chain. Aerospace and defense sectors, like consumer electronics, are susceptible to component discontinuation, material obsolescence, and technology developments, and to maintain the integrity of their digital systems, they must have visibility of these changes. 

Component Discontinuation

Parts, such as semiconductors, may be discontinued for a number of reasons, but the ripple effects of these industries can be detrimental when compared to consumer cases. The impact could be felt on both ends of the supply chain as aircraft and defense mechanisms become obsolete or, likewise, components become inaccessible. 

Example: The F-22 Raptor, a US military fighter jet, is set to be scrapped post-2030 due to obsolescence. This is largely due to cost, but the aircraft is becoming obsolete—lacking the hardware to support modern range requirements, avionics systems, and stealth technologies. 

Material Obsolescence

Regulatory restrictions and changes in the supply chain may influence the need to replace certain alloys and composites, resulting in the inevitable discontinuation of parts. In alternate cases, supply chain disruption could be the driver of changes to component materials due to shortages. 

Example: Supply chain events are sure-fire ways of disrupting defense. While aerospace and defense technologies are built with up to 30-year service lives, inaccessibility causes a broader impact in the market. However, semiconductors currently support a lifecycle of five years, which is far away from the lifespan desired by these sectors.

Software Incompatibility

Obsolescence may be provoked by changes in software and, as a result, the hardware requirements of current systems. As defense organizations adopt more advanced software, the parts in their existing systems become outdated. From a security perspective, this can leave them vulnerable as newly adopted cybersecurity programmes may be incompatible with legacy components. 

In this case, buyers influence the need for technological development. Unlike the consumer electronics market, though, aerospace and defense authorities require vision into the future. This, along with other aspects of obsolescence, comes with a major cost consideration through redesign and recertification. From the buyer's perspective, greater visibility of the supply chain is crucial for understanding the lead times given to component innovation or development. 

Process or Technology Evolution

As manufacturing techniques evolve, new, more compact, efficient parts become available. While consumer industries are much more flexible and regularly welcome these changes, defense organizations require more time to determine a suitable course for implementation in line with high regulations. 

Heightened Risks of Reactive Obsolescence Management

National security is the ultimate goal of the defense sector—security and reliability are the core characteristics of its operation. 

In light of this, the methods used by other industries to ensure that components are tested, secure, and kosher are heightened, and companies' responses are extended beyond what we see in consumer goods. This can be attributed to the need for approval of parts against regulations, such as the European Standard for Obsolescence Management Application Guide (BS EN 62402:2019), sector-specific International Quality Management Systems (AS 9100), and DMSMS SD-26 that governs manufacturing contract requirements. 

• BS EN 62402:2019: This standard outlines requirements for creating a cost-effective obsolescence management process applicable across various industries. It is designed for organizations whose operations depend on external factors and stakeholders, including suppliers, manufacturers, and third parties.
• AS 9100: This is an internationally renowned quality management system that applies to the aviation sector as well as space exploration and defense. The standard guides suppliers in their development and cooperation of these highly-regulated industries to ensure safety and reliability through the provision of their products. 
• DMSMS SD-26: A DSMS issue arises when manufacturers or suppliers of critical items, raw materials, or software cease production or support to the industry. This could also be a result of material shortages, and designers must pivot to available resources. The DoD established the program to promote proactive management strategies, minimizing the effects of obsolescence on readiness, project lead times, and costs. 

Mitigate the Impacts of Component Obsolescence

Aerospace and defense cannot put enough stress on proactivity, particularly with such complexities in supply chains, which are also susceptible to global events. However, there are a few steps that organizations can build into their procurement practices to mitigate the impacts of component obsolescence.  

Active Communication with Suppliers

Early visibility of obsolescence is the most valuable practice for all businesses, but in terms of aerospace and defense, this can support proactive investment in and implementation of new parts. Whether redesigning a part or simply activating sourcing teams, earlier action enables preemptive cost-benefit analysis and provides the team with more time and more power to negotiate the best prices for either solution. 

Consistent Visibility of Alternative Components

Procurement needs not be left to the time of need. With consistent visibility of design changes coupled with regular information from supply chains, procurement teams are able to actively seek out alternatives for obsolescence. To achieve this, teams must be able to see developmental roadmaps and keep stock of the available components in the market. 

Proactive Redesign of Components

Understanding the trends, recognizing shifts in the global supply of resources and components, and the aforementioned communications help organizations get ahead of the curve. Obsolescence management incorporates insight into all of the external factors influencing a company's need to pivot. Redesigning or reworking parts can be a feasible response from aerospace and defense organizations in limiting the effects of obsolescence.

Obsolescence Management with Altium 365

With Altium 365, visibility is the aim. Integrating supply chain and procurement data into the printed circuit board (PCB) and component design process, insights become available to both sides. Designers understand the influences of current inventories and component availability will guide their work, and vice versa. 

By integrating design, supply chain, and production elements, the Altium 365 unified environment improves efficiency and is a valuable tool for mitigating risk across the stakeholder landscape as businesses respond to impending component obsolescence and further project complexities. 

For aerospace and defense professionals, Altium 365 GovCloud takes this a step further, delivering robust data management and real-time component sourcing insights within a secure, compliance-driven environment. Designed to support stringent industry standards like ITAR and EAR, Altium 365 GovCloud empowers organizations to streamline operations while safeguarding sensitive design data.

Ready to learn more? Discover how Altium 365 GovCloud can transform your electronics design and compliance processes.