AIA and EY Report Finds Scaling Barriers in Aerospace Digital Thread Adoption

June 03, 2026
A new joint study by the Aerospace Industries Association and EY US reveals that while most aerospace and defense organizations have begun implementing digital thread technologies, only a small fraction have achieved enterprise-wide adoption due to challenges in execution, governance, and data readiness.

Aerospace Industries Association and EY released new research identifying key obstacles preventing aerospace and defense companies from scaling digital thread technologies in a press release. The study, based on a survey of 57 industry leaders and executive interviews, shows that while 75 percent of organizations have implemented digital thread in some capacity, only 14 percent have achieved enterprise-wide deployment.

Digital thread refers to the integration of data across design, production, and operations to enable traceability and transparency. The report highlights that 56 percent of organizations remain in pilot or limited rollout phases, with execution, ownership, and data readiness as the primary barriers. Only 29 percent of respondents reported that their enterprise data is standardized, governed, and accessible, limiting the ability to connect workflows and apply analytics or artificial intelligence.

The study also notes that 71 percent of leaders expect the greatest value from digital thread to come from predictive analytics and insights enabled by AI. However, these outcomes depend on establishing a mature data foundation supported by clear governance and sustained strategic commitment.

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