Aerospace and Defense

Rapid changes in the aerospace and defense industry are creating new opportunities for companies willing to innovate and reposition themselves for the future. BCG’s aerospace and defense consulting teams help companies adapt to these ever-evolving times.

aerospace-and-defense
Today’s commercial aerospace industry is still grappling with the sharp decline in air travel due to the pandemic, which is weighing heavily on aircraft production and the civilian aerospace workforce. The defense industry, in contrast, has seen steady demand and even some new opportunities.

For companies that operate in both segments, the challenge is to foster defense innovation, maintain operations, and strengthen their financial position to offset the declines in the commercial business.

Our Consulting Services for Aerospace and Defense

BCG's defense and security consulting experts tailor private-sector best practices to clients’ unique circumstances to help them achieve impressive outcomes.
We help clients unlock value from every aspect of their operations, maximizing efficiency and effectiveness in procurement, service operations, supply chains, and beyond.
BCG’s product innovation consulting team helps companies engineer market-winning products and services, improve product excellence, and transform R&D.
BCG's capital project management consulting services help contractors, business owners, & suppliers successfully navigate complex large capex projects.

How BCG Helps Aerospace and Defense Companies

This new reality makes it vital for aerospace and defense companies to innovate. BCG helps businesses throughout the aerospace and defense industry:

  • Embrace innovation. We help harness the power of next-generation manufacturing, energy-efficient products, and advanced analytics.
  • Launch digital transformations. We help increase operating efficiency and deliver new value to their customers by utilizing AI and machine learning.
  • Transform their organizations. We help with restructuring support, M&A expertise, and post-merger integration services.
  • Future-proof their workforce. We help advance diversity and equip people with new skills.
  • Rationalize their portfolio. We help dispose of poorly performing businesses and acquire positions in new growth areas.
  • Enhance machinery and equipment. We help maintain and upgrade machinery and equipment to ensure safety, adaptability, and longevity.

BCG has the deep industry knowledge, global insights, and digital transformation expertise to help aerospace and defense companies weather the storm and come out stronger. Our global team works across the aerospace and defense value chain to deliver sustainable competitive advantage to clients, create value, improve operations, and adapt new technology.

Our Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul Consulting Services

Maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) play pivotal roles in ensuring the longevity and safety of operations throughout today’s aerospace and defense industry. As the sector continues to rebound from the upheaval caused by the global pandemic, the need for streamlined, cost-effective MRO capabilities has never been more critical.
Explore Our MRO Offerings For Aerospace And Defense

Our teams bring deep expertise in navigating complex MRO challenges across a spectrum of projects, including:

  • Program Launch and Recovery. We help to revitalize stalled or lagging programs with strategic interventions and ensure that projects not only are completed on time and within budget but also meet the highest standards of excellence. 
  • Technical Services. Our focus is on boosting the efficiency and reliability of your operations. Whether it’s predictive maintenance, system upgrades, or compliance audits, we harness cutting-edge technology and extensive technical know-how to optimize your asset performance. 
  • Shop Floor and Operations. We offer hands-on expertise to refine your shop floor operations. From streamlining workflows and enhancing safety protocols to providing tailored training for continuous improvement, we’re committed to maximizing operational efficiency. 
Meet Our MRO Consulting Leadership Team

Managing Director & Senior Partner

Brian Hirshman

Managing Director & Senior Partner
Dallas

Managing Director & Partner

Lacy Ketzner

Managing Director & Partner
Philadelphia

Managing Director & Partner

Christopher Spafford

Managing Director & Partner
Dallas

Managing Director & Partner

Doug Peck

Managing Director & Partner
Washington, DC

Partner & Associate Director

Nehal Reddy

Partner & Associate Director
Atlanta

BCG'S Client Work Spans the Aerospace and Defense Industry

BCG has extensive experience helping aerospace and defense companies navigate challenges. Our aerospace and defense consulting teams work on projects across the entire industry.

Aerospace and Defense Client Work graphic

Client Success in Aerospace and Defense Consulting

Graph Up | New Icon
Post-Merger Integration
BCG helped define guiding principles, processes, team structure, and timelines for the merger of two diversified defense companies, which created one of the world’s largest aerospace and defense companies and led to a significant increase in shareholder value.
Agile Innovation Sprint | New Icon
Aerospace and Defense Innovation and Strategy
At a US shipbuilding company, we led a cross-functional team through a sprint to generate ideas for cutting costs in the materials value stream and provided procurement personnel with new capabilities and tools to make supplier negotiations more strategic.
Digital Growth | New Icon
Digital Aerospace Strategy Development
We created a next-generation enterprise resource planning (ERP) and data-platform strategy for a commercial aircraft MRO company.
Geopolitics | New Icon
International Growth Strategy
We helped a leading US contractor negotiate a joint venture in the Middle East and win significant new business in that market.
Aerospace and Defense Senior Advisors
  • Mike Finley, Retired US Navy Rear Admiral
  • Judy Fedder, Retired US Air Force Lieutenant General
  • Stephen O’Bryan, Former Vice President of F-35 Business Development, Lockheed Martin; Former Chief Global Business Development, L3Harris
  • Jim Zortman, Retired US Navy Vice Admiral
  • Paul De Lia, Former CTO, L3Harris

Our Latest Thinking on Aerospace and Defense

Explore more