When Innovation Outpaces Infrastructure: R&D's New Reality in Aerospace

Aerospace research and development (R&D) is at a turning point. Emerging technologies promise faster and more efficient systems, but also expose deep limitations in aging infrastructure, siloed processes, and manual workflows. The growing disconnect between technological advances and the physical and organizational infrastructures that support them creates a bottleneck to industry progress. Electric actuation, advanced automation, and software-driven testing are becoming the norm, challenging manufacturers to adapt without disrupting operational stability. Navigating this tension requires strategic investments, flexible design thinking, and a willingness to break from legacy approaches that can no longer support the innovations driving the industry forward.