BAE Systems, the prominent aerospace and defense firm, has entered into a five-year agreement with Siemens to develop a comprehensive “strategic blueprint” for smart manufacturing. This collaboration aims to incorporate Industry 4.0 solutions into BAE Systems’ design and production processes. The two companies have a long-standing relationship, having collaborated for decades.
The new partnership is presented as a co-creative venture, capitalizing on Siemens’ Teamcenter product lifecycle management (PLM) software and Xcelerator partner ecosystem. The focus will be on developing bespoke solutions for smart manufacturing and digitalization. This includes regional and international projects centered around sustainability, industrial digitalization, and supply chain modernization.
Siemens emphasized the aim to expedite commercial applications of new technologies for BAE Systems. This involves deploying Siemens’ NX software for product engineering and Teamcenter software for PLM—part of the Xcelerator portfolio. They plan to use edge computing solutions and technology validation across various industrial centers.
Brian Holliday, managing director at Siemens’ digital industries division, noted, “Technology is transforming manufacturing at an accelerated pace and we are proud to work with BAE Systems at the leading edge of Industry 4.0 in the UK. The partnership aligns with Siemens’ vision to work closely with customers through the Siemens Xcelerator platform, leveraging its digital portfolio.”
On the other hand, Iain Minton, technology capability delivery director at BAE Systems, highlighted the significance of the collaboration. “Collaborations like this help us develop and invest in ‘digital-thread’ enabling technologies in a more integrated way. Siemens understands our operating environment so we can quickly mature ideas to the point they can be practically implemented – whether we are optimizing new engineering, support, or manufacturing capabilities,” said Minton.
Ben Sheath, vice president of Siemens’ digital industries software business, expressed enthusiasm over extending their two-decade relationship with BAE Systems. “This is another example of how leaders in aerospace are choosing to partner with Siemens as the foundation of their digital transformation,” noted Sheath. The collaboration underscores the trust and understanding both firms have built, aimed at driving transformative results in aerospace manufacturing through Industry 4.0 solutions.
