Cloud computing: changing the face of aerospace and defense

Cloud computing: changing the face of aerospace and defense

Cloud computing is increasingly becoming a viable option for the Aerospace and Defense (A&D) industry, thanks to the cost-effectiveness of the concept and its ability to merge product development, supply chain, production and maintenance strategies.

According to the CIO of the Department of Defense, (DoD) Teri Takai, who published the DoD Cloud Computing Strategy last year, cloud-based concepts are becoming ever more appealing to the sector. Takai's recently published DoD CIO’s 10-Point Plan for IT Modernization shows the sector's plans for the cloud, and how it looks set to shape and meet the sector's IT needs in the future.

A more enterprise-wide approach is needed for the IT services across the A&D sector, the report said, in order to break down barriers that existed with past IT systems and to boost industry-wide collaboration.

Defense Information Systems Agency (DISA) Director Lt. Gen. Ronnie Hawkins Jr. told Defense News that the sector was relying in part on the cloud to lower IT costs, through its ability to allow the consolidation down to one email system. The concept also allows for applications to be virtualised in a hosted environment. These factors could lead to a reduction in IT spend of 20 per cent or more, Hawkins said.

The cloud is changing the face of the sector in numerous ways, among the most important being the ability to allow greater quality and compliance management across production which in turn is allowing for greater supplier audit consistency and lower costs relating to compliance reporting, Hawkins went on to say.

Businesses looking to move services into the cloud, should evaluate the performance of their existing network and consider setting up a leased line or MPLS network.