ESD November 2025

OBSOLESCENCE COLUMN

2. Design with obsolescence in mind

The challenge of obsolescence is not going away. If anything, the pace of change is accelerating. By learning from past encounters and implementing a strategy that encompasses proactive risk mitigation, designing for the future, and forging strong supplier partnerships, the aerospace and defence industry can confidently navigate the complexities of component lifecycles and ensure our critical systems remain mission- ready for years to come.

can be supported for decades to come.

The battle against obsolescence begins on the drawing board. Designing for sustainability is as critical as designing for performance. This involves selecting components with longer anticipated lifecycles and avoiding single-source suppliers wherever possible. Furthermore, it means architecting systems with modularity that allows for easier technology insertion and upgrades. By considering the entire lifecycle of the system at the design stage, engineers can build in resilience to future component unavailability. This forward-thinking approach can significantly reduce the cost and complexity of future modifications, ensuring that systems

3. Choose the right supplier partners

Your suppliers are your first line of defence against obsolescence, and today is the day to start rationalising your supply chain. It is imperative to move beyond a purely transactional relationship and build strategic partnerships with suppliers who understand the unique demands of EOL in the aerospace and defence sectors. Seek value and knowledge; your partners should be more than just distributors. Ensuring that chosen partners are 100% authorised by the original component manufacturer will help eliminate the risk of counterfeit parts entering your supply chain.

For more information visit: www.rocelec.com

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