Sustainability in Aerospace and Defense

Aerospace and defense companies are at the center of the energy debate. Commercial aviation manufacturers are part of an industry in which fossil fuels are a primary driver of both operating cost and public image. In the defense sector, energy is not just a cost issue; it is a national security and policy issue.

For A&D companies, the implementation of new processes and technologies that support sustainability can differentiate them in a market that is ready for answers to compelling challenges.

The A&D industry continues to be a growth engine for technology and globalization. Yet the technological advances behind new jet engines, lighter fuselages and alternative fuels are only small pieces of the puzzle. From supply chain efficiency to green IT, A&D companies have the opportunity to increase not only the sustainability of their industry, but also the economic and social value that it creates.

A&D companies can take real steps to support sustainability. As A&D companies shift from vertically integrated manufacturing to networked providers of product integration services and support, their sustainability efforts will have a direct economic and environmental impact upon their customers.

Steps such as co-locating facilities with suppliers, limiting inter-facility transfers, consolidating data centers, implementing transportation and maintenance planning capabilities and focusing on strategic sourcing can all reduce emissions and improve efficiency.

By working toward sustainability, A&D companies can achieve high performance for themselves while also helping their customers along their own journeys to high performance.