Through-life support as a service: The role of aircraft manufacturers

The aerospace and defence industries are currently undergoing a significant, although sometimes subtle, transformation in the way it operates, the way it is structured, and even in what its fundamental role. What was once an industry that was predominately product focused now is morphing into a supplier of products and services designed to give an operator a capability to perform their mission. This paper is drawn from research into how aircraft manufacturers are slowly changing themselves from pure design-and-build agencies, to whole-of-life, service-driven enterprises that are centred around solving customer problems. It examines some of the challenges aircraft manufacturers are facing in moving away from a product-centred approach, to a service-driven approach. It will examine examples of a 'servitized' approach in aerospace, and detail some of challenges this changing environment poses for manufacturers.