In aerospace and defense (A&D), innovation isn’t optional—it’s a requirement. Aircraft avionics, for example, traditionally relied on a federated architecture, where each function—flight controls, navigation, communication, and monitoring—was managed by separate hardware units. While this worked for decades, it introduced inefficiencies: redundant hardware, expensive maintenance, and limited adaptability.
The industry found a solution in the 1980s with Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA). By separating software from hardware, IMA allowed aircraft systems to be updated module by module rather than requiring full-system replacements. By the 2010s, this approach became the industry standard, enabling agility, efficiency, and long-term scalability.
What A&D Manufacturers Can Learn from IMA
Just like aircraft must continuously adapt to new flight regulations, mission demands, and technological advancements, A&D manufacturers face similar pressures:
- Keeping up with evolving regulatory requirements.
- Adopting cutting-edge manufacturing technologies to maintain competitiveness.
- Scaling operations efficiently, especially during mergers and acquisitions.
- Reducing costs by streamlining processes and eliminating redundancies.
The Business Case for Microservices in A&D Manufacturing
Microservices bring the same modular, scalable benefits to manufacturing that IMA brought to aircraft design. Traditionally, updating manufacturing operations software was a slow, costly process, requiring on-site updates at every facility. Today, microservices—through cloud-native platforms like Solumina—allow software updates to be deployed seamlessly across one site, multiple sites, or the entire organization through CI/CD (continuous integration and continuous deployment).
A&D manufacturers often grow their businesses through mergers and acquisitions, taking on additional sites that may have various purposes and operate on software different from their existing sites. Because microservices offer incredible opportunities for meeting various custom requirements and quick scalability across multiple sites, larger manufacturers, in particular, find them invaluable. They can build and maintain solutions and applications to keep pace with business growth.
Enhancing Connectivity & Customization
Manufacturing is an interconnected ecosystem where seamless integration is essential. Microservices enable:
- Interoperability – Ensuring different systems communicate efficiently.
- Best-in-class solutions – Allowing manufacturers to select specialized applications that meet their needs.
- Fast, flexible updates – Enabling customized enhancements without disrupting existing operations.
Empowering Developers & Driving Innovation
With microservices, manufacturers don’t have to wait for vendors to make system improvements. Platforms like iBase-t provide Software Development Kits (SDKs) with REST APIs, allowing developers to create custom microservices and integrate seamlessly with other mission-critical systems. This will enable manufacturers to create an inter-operable data ecosystem to experiment with AI, predictive analytics, and automation—without compromising their core systems.
Choosing the Right Path Forward
Not all vendors offer microservices; many legacy providers still rely on outdated, one-size-fits-all solutions. To stay competitive, manufacturers should:
- Assess their operations – Identify where microservices can add the most value.
- Engage with solution providers – Determine if current systems support modular updates.
- Select the right technology partners – Work with vendors that enable scalable, flexible software solutions.
The takeaway is clear: just as IMA transformed avionics, microservices are redefining A&D manufacturing. Companies that embrace this shift will gain a competitive edge—operating with more agility, efficiency, and resilience in an industry that demands nothing less.
