Accenture and Thales are demonstrating a new blockchain-based system aimed at streamlining the global supply chains supporting the aerospace and defense (A&D) industry at the Farnborough Air Show.

The prototype has been jointly developed by Accenture and Thales. It is based on Hyperledger Fabric and combines blockchain, internet-of-things (IoT) and other innovative technologies – including Thales’s physically unclonable function (PUF) solution for silicon chips and Chronicled’s tamper-proof cryptoseals.

“Using blockchain in combination with cryptoseals and physically unclonable functions allows you to build a trusted history behind parts. This demonstration builds on the strong relationship Accenture and Thales have created developing innovative digital solutions for a variety of industries,” said Gareth Williams, vice president for secure communications and information systems at Thales UK.

The blockchain solution would help to track, trace and authenticate aircraft parts and materials, thereby eliminating counterfeit and grey market supplies. It provides a single, shared view of the supply chain for all stakeholders – i.e. the partnering suppliers, manufacturers and operators.

“The aerospace and defense industry has one of the world’s most vast and complex supply chains,” said John Schmidt, global managing director for Accenture’s Aerospace and Defense practice. “Blockchain technology offers a new, elegant and secure way for the industry to track and trace myriad components while deterring counterfeiting and improving maintenance capabilities. Used in combination with technologies like digital twins and digital threads, blockchain could ultimately be a game-changing innovation for this sector.”