How does AS13100 relate to me in aerospace and defense?

Aaron Hoare Date published: Jul 04, 24

If you’re producing engines or their components in the aerospace and defense industry, it’s highly likely that you’ll need to comply with AS13100 – no matter where you sit in the supply chain. With a compliance deadline of January 1st 2023, the standard is relatively new to the industry. However, it builds upon and adapts two pre-existing and well-established standards from the wider aerospace and defense industry. We break down when AS13100 applies, what’s involved, and the advantages it can deliver to both organizations and the industry as a whole.

Who needs to comply with AS13100?

AS13100 is exclusively applicable to engine manufacturers and their suppliers in the aerospace and defense industry. All four of the industry’s major engine manufacturers are members of the committee that defined the standard – the Aerospace Engine Supplier Quality (AESQ) standards committee. As such, these key players, among several other manufacturers, have all adopted AS13100 as a requirement in their supplier manuals and other contractual documents.

So, while compliance isn’t legally mandated, you’ll need to demonstrate adherence to this standard if you want to be an approved supplier of engine components for any of these Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs).

What does AS13100 compliance require?

Building upon AS9100 and AS9145 as baseline standards, AS13100 provides a comprehensive set of common supplemental requirements specifically for the manufacturing of engines and their components. The standard document is divided into three chapters, each addressing the core requirements of AS9100 and AS9145 to make additions and amendments to suit engine manufacturing.

With a focus on analyzing and mitigating risk on a characteristic level, the standard also requires a Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) to be carried out to validate every dimension and characteristic on every engine component – helping to identify any issues before entering production.

Additionally, manufacturers are also expected to regularly review their processes and procedures, helping to not only identify issues but also opportunities for improvement. 

What are the advantages of compliance?

AS13100 was intended to harmonize and simplify the varying – but similar – bespoke supplier requirements established by each different OEM. By bringing these disparate requirements together into a single, focused and universal set of standards, AS13100 reduces the challenge of satisfying multiple customers in the aerospace and defense engine manufacturing industry.

Additionally, compliance with this standard can help to:

• Streamline the manufacturing process with greater efficiency
• Ensure consistency across the industry, no matter where in the world it’s produced
• Improve product quality and performance, reducing the risk of errors and inconsistencies
• Boost the overall safety and reliability of parts, while safeguarding operational integrity and
  personnel safety
• Encourage sustainable practices, materials and process, such as using recycled materials and
  reducing waste

Ultimately, AS13100 compliance can lead to a simpler, more efficient and higher quality manufacturing process – while, crucially, ensuring you’re well placed to supply the industry’s key players in engine manufacturing. If you’re unsure if the standard applies to you, remember that it always flows down contractually, so will be included in your customer’s purchase order or supplier manual if you’re expected to be compliant.