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The ADS Digital Transformation for Aerospace & Defence (DTAD) Special Interest Group informs, facilitates and fosters the widespread adoption of digital technologies. It recently launched support for SME members including a ‘digital query platform’, for peer-based advice where members can ask questions, connect with experts and expore opportunities.

The DTAD Group Chair, Nigel Thomas – Senior Sales Director, Cyient Ltd, often represents the group on panels and forums. Here he talks about his recent experience at Advanced Engineering Expo 2025…

Although it’s centrally located in Birmingham, the NEC is not easy to get to if, like me, you live in Poole, Dorset – everywhere is a long way!

I enjoy the Advanced Engineering show because it has a very ‘real’ feel to it – a good mix of manufacturers, engineers, tooling suppliers, software and IT companies and supply chain service providers. I attended the show on Wednesday 29 October and I was not disappointed. The show was very busy with a great variety of stands and many visitors, I enjoyed several conversations with companies from all parts of the supply chain, I’m always surprised by the wide variety of companies that make up our globally competitive sector.

I had been asked to be a member of a panel as part of the ‘Aerospace & Defence, Space & Satellite Engineering Forum. The panel discussion had the snappy title of ‘Bridging the Gap: Supporting SME Success in the Cyber and Digital Space’. It was a good discussion, chaired by Reuben Gomez, ADS’ Strategy and Business Development Manager and my panel colleagues were Andrea Bristol, PR & Marketing Campaigns Manager at AdaCore and Dr Colin Williams, Principal Consultant at CDS Defence & Security. In the short time since the panel first met, I have become hugely impressed by the breadth and depth of the knowledge and communication skills of my panel colleagues. If you don’t know them, look them up – they are fonts of (deep) knowledge about the subject matter!

I was able to hear other panel discussions on a variety of topics – including Gardner Aerospace talking about sustainable aviation, Airbus giving a perspective on robotics and Spirit Aerosystems discussing the ATI funded project DELTA which is exploring the real challenges of enabling digitally connected factories and supply chains…and designing a viable, workable solution. All of these subjects are super important for the global aerospace industry with huge impacts on the environment, productivity, competitiveness and ultimately, the work that human beings will be doing in the future.

It was great to catch up with industry colleagues and make new connections. It seems to me that everyone is positive about the short and medium term future, but with the global geo-political situation in flux, the long term is as uncertain as it ever was. A couple of points that I will take away…if you place an order for an Airbus aircraft, you will have to wait 9 years for it! And finally, to meet this backlog of demand and increasing demand in defence, security and space, we need to create another 50,000 jobs by 2035.

Next, I’m heading to Derby for the World Quality Week event on 13 November, which Cyient is sponsoring alongside leading OEMs. On my panel we’ll be exploring how digital transformation is reshaping quality. As chair of the ADS Digital Transformation for Aerospace & Defence Group (DTAD), we often discuss the need for these industries to adopt emerging digital technologies like Artificial Intellegence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), big data to enhance efficiency, and improve safety and maintenance and yes, achieve zero-defects. I’ll enjoy addressing this in the quality forum. I hope to see you there.

We are in a vibrant, growing sector with above average earnings and lots of future job opportunities – a good time to be working in aerospace, defence, security and space.

Digital Transformation for Aerospace and Defence Group (DTAD)

If you’re interested in joining a group focused on the adoption of digital technology for competitive advantage, join our DTAD Group.

ADS Digital Toolkit

Our new Digital Toolkit for SMEs brings together tailored resources, expert guidance and practical tools to help members navigate complex digital requirements and leverage the full potential of digital transformation for growth. Find out more.