Highlights of PTC’s Aerospace & Defense Executive Exchange Europe 2026

On March 25–26, 2026, PTC convened senior aerospace and defense leaders in Hamburg for a forum focused on how organizations are translating strategy into real operational execution.

From the opening keynote on AI, Drones, and the Future of Warfare to the insightful presentations and panel discussions that followed, the Exchange led to candid conversations around innovation, resilience, and the realities of transformation in aerospace and defense.

Some of the key themes included:

• AI, autonomy, and next-generation capabilities shaping aerospace and defense innovation
• Digital thread and data continuity strategies enabling end-to-end visibility
• Model-based engineering to manage growing system complexity
• Hyperspeed innovation in emerging domains like space and advanced air mobility
• Operational resilience amid supply chain and geopolitical pressures

Keynote: AI, Drones, and the future of warfare

An opening keynote from Dr. Ulrike Franke brought a strategic lens to the discussions, exploring how AI, drones, and autonomous systems are reshaping what modern warfare looks like. She highlighted the rapid pace of technological adoption in conflict environments and the implications for European defense organizations, from capability development to procurement and doctrine. Her message was clear: understanding and integrating emerging technologies is central to maintaining strategic relevance and readiness.

Industry leaders sharing what works

Presentations from leaders across the A&D ecosystem shared how they are accelerating execution in practice:

• Lufthansa Technik explained how PLM provides an end-to-end digital thread from engineering to manufacturing to service, and how transitioning from a document-based to an object-oriented approach establishes traceability that reduces duplication of effort, increases reusability, and accelerates audits.
• Polaris Spaceplane provided insight into the challenges of hypersonic spaceplane development and how the company maintains a fast startup-type operation with rapid, iterative, and low-cost development and flight-testing.
• Airbus discussed how it is scaling systems engineering with a model-based approach to product line engineering, noting that organizational alignment and process change are critical for treating MBSE as a transformation initiative rather than an engineering update.
• MBDA detailed how using 3D models as the single source of truth has enabled the company to drive secure collaboration across multinational teams while accelerating complex defense program delivery.
• Aura Aero shared how its engineering methods and digital architecture have enabled the company to iterate quickly, support aircraft configuration governance, and accelerate EASA certification.

Key takeaways from the exchange

1. Execution is the new differentiator
   Across each of the sessions, one message was consistent: strategy alone is no longer enough. Organizations that pull ahead are translating digital initiatives into measurable outcomes, such as faster product development, improved collaboration, and reduced risk.
2. Digital continuity is mission-critical
   The concept of a digital thread has evolved from aspiration to necessity, with presenters sharing how a connected product data foundation enables real-time visibility across the lifecycle to improve traceability and compliance and facilitate data-driven decision-making.
3. Speed, quality, and agility are strategic imperatives
   Whether in defense modernization or emerging aerospace domains, the ability to accelerate innovation cycles while maintaining quality is becoming a competitive advantage. Organizations are innovating faster by investing in agile approaches to development and validation, integrated platforms that reduce handoffs, and automation and AI that accelerates decision-making.
4. Collaboration is a force multiplier
   Some of the most valuable moments from the event came from discussions outside of formal sessions, reinforcing that industry-wide challenges require shared thinking and collaboration. Leaders openly shared lessons learned from scaling digital initiatives, modernizing legacy environments, and navigating growing complexity.

From transformation to execution: what sets A&D leaders apart

The discussions in Hamburg reinforced why leading aerospace and defense organizations are investing in a digital backbone that enables data continuity, collaboration, and execution across the lifecycle. Investing holistically in people, process, and technology ensures that transformation efforts translate into real operational impact with strong execution and adoption.

This approach aligns with the wider changes shaping the industry: moving from siloed systems to connected ecosystems, from long development cycles to accelerated innovation, and from reactive operations to data-driven decision-making. As these shifts continue to gain momentum, the ability to execute at scale stands out as the defining differentiator.

Final takeaway

PTC’s Aerospace and Defense Executive Exchange Europe 2026 made it clear that as programs grow more complex and timelines compress, organizations must be able to connect data, align teams, and operationalize digital initiatives across the entire lifecycle.

For industry leaders, the path forward is clear: build the digital foundation, drive adoption across the enterprise, and focus relentlessly on execution. Those who can do this consistently will be best positioned to lead in the next era of aerospace and defense innovation.

Thank you to our attendees and speakers

As these conversations continue to shape the future of the industry, we extend our sincere thanks to everyone who joined us in Hamburg. The openness, expertise, and collaborative spirit of this community are what make the Executive Exchange truly valuable.

We are especially grateful to the customers and industry leaders who shared their experiences on stage. Your real-world insights and perspectives are what turn these discussions into actionable learning for the broader ecosystem.