Onshape Government and Arena PLM for AWS GovCloud Empowers A&D Teams to Build Better Products, Faster

Product development companies in mission-critical industries supporting aerospace and defense (A&D) businesses face increasing pressure to deliver innovation while maintaining the highest standards of security, compliance, and cost optimization. Requirements include secure, connected solutions that support every phase of product development, from initial design through new product introduction (NPI) and sustaining engineering. The new connection between Onshape Government and Arena Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) for GovCloud will help expand secure, cloud-native collaboration to A&D companies.

A Vital Connection Between Operations, Quality, and Engineering

The connection between Onshape Government and Arena PLM for AWS GovCloud bridges two best- in-class PTC platforms into one cloud-native ecosystem that supports computer-aided design (CAD), product data management (PDM), PLM, quality management, and supply chain collaboration while meeting strict A&D regulations.

Challenges Confronting A&D Companies

Aerospace and defense product companies face a uniquely tough landscape, shaped by geopolitical shifts, technological disruption, and stringent regulatory demands. Companies are tasked with staying innovative, compliant, and resilient. In addition, many companies are still updating their systems and solutions and building supply chain resilience.

Here is a breakdown of the most pressing challenges A&D organizations are up against now and what’s needed to succeed.

Geopolitical Tensions and Supply Chain Volatility

Challenge

• Global instability has caused supply chain fragmentation and export restrictions on critical materials like semiconductors, rare earth minerals, and advanced alloys.
• Pandemic aftershocks caused labor shortages and supplier bankruptcies that still ripple through the ecosystem.
• Limited supplier base for essential components such as titanium, specialized electronics, and propulsion systems require reliance on single- or restricted-source providers.

What A&D companies are up against:

• Increased vulnerability to supply chain disruptions.
• Ongoing semiconductor shortages affect avionics and defense electronics programs.
• Restricted access to global suppliers due to International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR) and Export Administration Regulations (EAR) export controls.
• Pressure to onshore production and prove supply chain resilience.
• Fluctuating requirements.

Critical to performance:

• Building secure, transparent supply chains.
• Supplier diversification and regionalization strategies.
• Digital solutions for real-time supply chain visibility.

Technology Acceleration and Integration

Challenge

Emerging technologies such as AI, autonomy, additive manufacturing, advanced sensors, and cybersecurity are moving faster than traditional defense procurement cycles can handle. Also faced with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) mandate of the Digital Engineering Instruction 5000.97 (DoDI 5000.97), organizations must transition from paper processes to digital engineering for the development and sustainment of defense systems. This requires the necessary infrastructure, software, and workforce to support digital approaches.

What A&D companies are up against:

• Integrating cutting-edge tech into legacy platforms or a complete upgrade.
• Disconnected systems and manual processes.
• Pressure to innovate quickly and securely.
• Provide military-grade reliability and safety standards while innovating.
• Navigate IP ownership and collaboration between primes, startups, and government labs.

Critical to performance:

• Create secure, traceable, digital product thread in the Cloud.
• Control access to technical data ITAR/EAR.
• Meet cybersecurity requirements such as Defense Federal Acquisition Regulation Supplement (DFARS) and cybersecurity maturity model certification (CMMC) requirements.
• Dual-use innovation (civil plus defense applications).

Regulatory and Compliance Complexity

Challenge

Compliance with export controls ITAR, EAR, cybersecurity mandates, and quality certifications (AS9100) continuously grows more complex.

What A&D companies are up against:

• Massive documentation and audit burdens.
• Integration of compliance into digital workflows.
• Risk of noncompliance fines or lost contracts.
• Export controls—ITAR and EAR restrict who can handle or supply certain materials and components.
• Quality assurance with aerospace standards (e.g., AS9100) requires strict traceability and documentation that can be difficult to maintain across multiple tiers of suppliers.

Critical to performance:

• Compliance by design in PLM systems.
• Digital product thread and model-based engineering to ensure traceability.
• Proactive monitoring and adaptation to evolving regulatory requirements.

Sustainability and Environmental Pressures

Challenge

Defense and aerospace sectors face growing scrutiny for emissions, waste, and lifecycle sustainability, especially in civil aviation.

What A&D companies are up against:

• Pressure to decarbonize manufacturing and operations.
• Development of sustainable aviation fuels (SAF) and electrified propulsion.
• Environmental, social, and governance (ESG) reporting expectations from investors and governments.
• Need for sustainable sourcing (e.g., recycled materials, low-emission suppliers).

Critical to performance:

• Embedding sustainability into design and procurement.
• Lifecycle carbon tracking and green materials innovation.
• Managing compliance evidence for RoHS, REACH, WEEE, conflict minerals, and other environmental compliance requirements.

Strengthening supply chains, streamlining compliance, and igniting innovation will help position A&D companies for future success.

Built for Compliance, Engineered for Agility

Both Onshape Government and Arena PLM for AWS GovCloud are purpose-built to meet the stringent demands of U.S. regulatory frameworks for ITAR and EAR. These frameworks govern the handling, storage, and sharing of sensitive information. Onshape Government offers a secure CAD and PDM environment hosted on AWS GovCloud, featuring federal information processing standards (FIPS) 140-3 validated cryptography to ensure data integrity and privacy.

How Does Arena Ensure Every Interaction Is Secure and Traceable?

Arena PLM for AWS GovCloud is a scalable PLM solution designed to address the rigorous security and compliance standards of the aerospace and defense industry while providing a comprehensive platform to meet product design and development needs. From managing product records, quality documentation, or supplier relationships, Arena ensures that every interaction is secure, traceable, and compliant. Together, Onshape and Arena eliminate silos caused by file-based systems and manual data transfers with a seamless, cloud-native experience that simplifies compliance and accelerates product realization.

A Harmonious Connection Between CAD, PDM, and PLM

The connection between Onshape and Arena bridges engineering, operations, and quality teams to transform how regulated industries develop products. With instantaneous sharing of design information, synchronized bills of materials (BOMs), and real-time engineering change tracking, teams can seamlessly collaborate across CAD, PDM, and PLM workflows. Mechanical designers can stay within Onshape while accessing product information from Arena. In turn, Arena users can view 3D models and dimensions directly within their PLM environment.

How Does a Bidirectional Flow Improve Collaboration and Compliance?

A bidirectional flow of information ensures that everyone on the product team, including provisioned suppliers, is working from the same source of truth. Approvals, markups, and conversations are centralized, enabling transparency and traceability at every step. Whether you’re reviewing designs, managing compliance documentation, or coordinating with external partners, everything happens in one, secure, integrated environment. Customers report that using the Onshape-Arena Connection speeds time to market, reduces costs, improves quality, and simplifies compliance.

Ready to Experience the Future of Secure Product Development?

By combining security, agility, and collaboration, Onshape Government and Arena PLM for AWS GovCloud empower teams to build better products, faster. This comprehensive solution supports the full product lifecycle from concept to delivery within a secure, cloud-native environment. It’s a groundbreaker for organizations that need to innovate while maintaining secure control over their information and processes.

Learn more about Onshape Government and Arena PLM for AWS GovCloud and discover how it can help your organization design, manage, and deliver products with confidence.