Bold thinking, digital-first innovation, and the facilitation of unrivalled depths of collaboration.

Recently, Callum Watson, Head of PLM & Digital Tools at AERALIS, showcased this approach when he presented to the MOD’s Knowledge Fridays Café, hosted by the Knowledge Management Community of Practice at Team Defence Information (TD-Info). His session explored how AERALIS is using digital engineering and structured lesson learning to deliver our Advanced Jet Trainer in a far shorter timeframe than traditional fast jet programmes.

Central to this approach is our integrated digital enterprise, AERSIDE, and the adoption of the NATO ODCR (Observation, Discussion, Conclusion, Recommendation) format for Learning From Experience (LFE); tools that together are enabling a fail fast, learn quick culture, turning lessons into actionable outcomes, and helping us move at pace without compromising rigour, quality or safety.

This isn’t just about technology, but a deep-seated commitment to deliver better capability faster for our pilots, and better value to air forces and taxpayers.

The session at the Knowledge Cafe contributed to community-wide recommendations for improving knowledge management across defence, including:

• Moving from documents to live, integrated digital content

• Making lessons actionable and monitored to avoid ‘shelfware’

• Prepare knowledge for AI and future technologies through structured formats and metadata

These recommendations reflect a growing recognition that digital-first, integrated approaches are essential for agility and resilience in complex programmes.

By sharing our experience, AERALIS is helping to shape how the sector approaches knowledge mobilisation, digital transformation and innovation. We’re proud to be recognised as a team driving change not just for our programme but for the wider defence community, and extend our thanks to TD-Info for inviting Callum to present to their expert community of practice.

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