Aviation Week

Getting Positioned For Digital Disruption

The difference between success and failure in digitization often comes down to how well a company can adapt its business model.

By Michael Goldberg

Published on September 15, 2016
min read


This article originally appeared on Aviation Week. When it comes to technical innovation, few industries can match the achievements of aerospace and defense (A&D). But, ironically, many A&D companies are not on the cutting edge of using digital technology to create new business models and transform their operations. When A&D executives look at digital opportunities, too many still use the traditional technology lens for developing or improving products without sufficiently evaluating the related business model impacts. The effects of digital disruption are prevalent across industries. The confluence of connectivity, big data and leaps in computing and software capabilities are disrupting old business models and enabling digital-savvy startups and other competitors to push into new markets. In industrial goods, which include A&D, startups raised $40 billion in venture capital to build new businesses in 2015. Leading-edge incumbents are also using digital innovation to fundamentally change their offerings. John Deere, for example, is shifting from selling farm equipment to providing data-enabled “agricultural solutions” (which include smart tractors). Some A&D incumbents are getting into the game, too. Aerojet Rocketdyne used 3-D printing to reduce the parts in a core injector to two from 100, reducing time to market to eight weeks from one year. Pratt & Whitney, working with its tech partners, analyzed the “exhaust” data from engine sensors to develop a more compelling and profitable power-by-the-hour program. With digitization marching through sector after sector, incumbents will continue to disrupt or be disrupted, and A&D, despite its long lead times and product cycles, will not be an exception. Read the full article at Aviation Week (subscription may be required). Michael Goldberg, a Bain & Co. partner based in Los Angeles, leads its global aerospace and defense practice.

This article originally appeared on Aviation Week.

When it comes to technical innovation, few industries can match the achievements of aerospace and defense (A&D). But, ironically, many A&D companies are not on the cutting edge of using digital technology to create new business models and transform their operations. When A&D executives look at digital opportunities, too many still use the traditional technology lens for developing or improving products without sufficiently evaluating the related business model impacts.

The effects of digital disruption are prevalent across industries. The confluence of connectivity, big data and leaps in computing and software capabilities are disrupting old business models and enabling digital-savvy startups and other competitors to push into new markets. In industrial goods, which include A&D, startups raised $40 billion in venture capital to build new businesses in 2015. Leading-edge incumbents are also using digital innovation to fundamentally change their offerings. John Deere, for example, is shifting from selling farm equipment to providing data-enabled “agricultural solutions” (which include smart tractors). Some A&D incumbents are getting into the game, too. Aerojet Rocketdyne used 3-D printing to reduce the parts in a core injector to two from 100, reducing time to market to eight weeks from one year. Pratt & Whitney, working with its tech partners, analyzed the “exhaust” data from engine sensors to develop a more compelling and profitable power-by-the-hour program.

With digitization marching through sector after sector, incumbents will continue to disrupt or be disrupted, and A&D, despite its long lead times and product cycles, will not be an exception.

Read the full article at Aviation Week (subscription may be required).

Michael Goldberg, a Bain & Co. partner based in Los Angeles, leads its global aerospace and defense practice.