Don’t let “uncertain times” blind you to certainties

The COVID-19 pandemic has significantly disrupted the aerospace and defense industries, which initially entered 2020 with high growth expectations. Despite the decrease in commercial and consumer aerospace demand and the drying up of investment capital, advancements in technologies such as hybrid-electrification, urban air mobility, and space travel continue, largely driven by smaller, innovative companies utilizing high-performance computing (HPC) simulations to expedite development and reduce costs. Government contracts, particularly those from the Department of Defense and NASA, provide some financial stability for companies, while the shift to on-demand cloud resources allows for flexibility amidst economic uncertainties. The increased reliance on digital tools, including model-based systems engineering and multidisciplinary design optimization, is crucial for maintaining competitiveness and securing government contracts. This transition is seen as essential for companies to survive the downturn, capitalize on future demand, and maintain market share in the evolving aerospace landscape.