Aerospace & Defence Automation Solutions
MASK Control Systems designs and delivers automation solutions for aerospace and defence manufacturers across the UK and worldwide. Since 2013, we have engineered PLC control systems, control panels, and fully integrated automation solutions for safety-critical environments where precision and documentation matter as much as performance. Our team understands the standards, the security requirements, and the zero-tolerance approach to defects that define this sector, and we build every project around them.
Why Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing Needs Specialized Automation
Aerospace and defence manufacturing operates under a level of scrutiny that few other sectors match. Systems must perform within extremely tight tolerances, and a single defect can carry consequences far beyond a production line. Qualification and audit cycles run longer and deeper than in most industries, and every system change requires formal configuration and revision control so that a complete history exists for every component and every update.
Confidentiality adds a further layer of complexity. Many aerospace and defence projects involve sensitive or classified information, and manufacturers need an automation partner who understands how to handle that responsibly, from data security to physical access control on-site. We design our engineering process around these realities rather than treating them as an afterthought.
The UK Aerospace & Defence Manufacturing Landscape
The UK aerospace and defence sector is one of the country’s most established advanced manufacturing bases, supporting thousands of companies and tens of thousands of skilled engineers across design, production, and systems integration. The South West of England, where MASK is headquartered, is a particularly dense engineering region for this sector, home to a large concentration of aerospace engineers and a long-standing supply chain built around major defence and aviation programs.
This sector also faces a pronounced skills challenge. Security-cleared automation engineers are in short supply nationally, and many manufacturers find it difficult to recruit and retain the specialized talent needed to maintain and upgrade safety-critical control systems. That shortage is pushing more manufacturers toward experienced outsourced partners who can step in with the right clearances, the right documentation discipline, and the right technical depth already in place.
Signs Your Aerospace or Defence Facility Needs Automation Support
Several recurring signals tell us a facility is ready for an automation review:
Aging PLC systems are approaching end-of-life with no clear upgrade path in place
Manual documentation processes are struggling to keep pace with traceability and audit demands
Your in-house engineering team lacks the capacity, or the security clearance, to take on a new project
Compliance audits have flagged gaps in control system documentation or change history
Downtime on safety-critical lines is creating disproportionate cost and risk exposure
If any of these apply to your facility, an automation and control system review is worth prioritizing before the issue escalates.
Our Aerospace & Defence Automation Services
PLC Programming & Control Systems
We develop robust control logic for safety critical aerospace and defence applications using industry standard platforms like Siemens, Mitsubishi, and Unitronics. Our programming approach emphasizes strict documentation and full traceability from the initial line of code to the final deployment. This ensures that every operation is completely auditable to meet rigorous industry compliance standards. We deliver solutions that prioritize both precise execution and comprehensive historical logging for your peace of mind.
Electrical Control Panel Design & Build
We specialize in engineering and manufacturing control panels that adhere to the stringent documentation and build quality expectations of the aerospace and defence sector. Every panel we build includes a complete, detailed record of all internal components, their sourcing, and the results of our rigorous testing process. This commitment to transparency ensures that your systems are reliable and easy to maintain throughout their entire lifecycle. We focus on structural integrity and precision to provide a foundation that supports your most critical manufacturing tasks.
Functional Safety Engineering
Our team performs detailed risk assessments and designs safety systems specifically for high consequence environments where precision and reliability are non negotiable. We ensure that every safety critical function is meticulously engineered, thoroughly tested, and extensively documented to meet the demanding standards of the aerospace industry. By prioritizing safety at the architectural level, we help you mitigate operational risks and protect your personnel and assets. Our documentation provides the evidence required for successful internal reviews and external audits.
Systems Integration
We manage the complex coordination of multi system environments where diverse equipment, control platforms, and safety systems must function as a single unit. This integration phase is often the most demanding part of an aerospace project, requiring deep technical expertise to ensure complete reliability across your infrastructure. Our end to end delivery model simplifies this process by keeping all coordination under a single accountable engineering partner. We unify your disparate production technologies to create a cohesive and highly efficient manufacturing process.
HMI & SCADA Development
We create secure, auditable operator interfaces and SCADA dashboards that provide your team with clear visibility into real time production performance. Our development process prioritizes user accessibility while maintaining the strict security protocols and access logging required in sensitive defence environments. We deliver intuitive control systems that simplify complex data without compromising the security or auditability of your operations. This empowers your operators to maintain high standards of efficiency and control throughout every production cycle.
Installation & Commissioning
We oversee the entire on site installation and commissioning phase, maintaining a precise documentation trail at every step of the deployment. This structured approach ensures that your project is ready for immediate internal sign off and provides all the necessary evidence for external audits upon completion. Our team manages the logistical challenges of integration, allowing you to focus on your core production goals. We remain on site to verify that everything performs to specifications, ensuring a smooth transition to full operation.
Legacy System Upgrades
We provide professional modernization services for outdated PLC and control hardware that has reached or is nearing its end of life. Our strategy focuses on upgrading your systems to current standards while minimizing any disruptions to your ongoing production schedule. By systematically addressing obsolescence risks, we extend the operational lifespan of your critical manufacturing lines. We ensure a seamless transition that restores reliability to your older infrastructure without compromising the performance of your current facility.
Compliance, Traceability & Security
Aerospace and defence manufacturing runs on documented, auditable processes, and our systems are built to support that from day one. We align our work with AS9100 and DEFCON standards, and we apply strict configuration and change management to every system revision, so a complete history exists for every modification made throughout a system's life. Our documentation is built to withstand the level of scrutiny that prime contractors and defence procurement bodies expect during audit. We also take confidentiality seriously. Where a project involves sensitive or restricted information, we apply appropriate access controls and handling procedures throughout our engineering process, from initial design through to on-site commissioning.
Supporting Aerospace & Defence Manufacturers Worldwide
We are headquartered in Cullompton, Devon, in the United Kingdom, and we apply the same engineering discipline and documentation standards to aerospace and defence projects across three continents. Whether your facility is based in the UK or overseas, you receive the same rigorous process, the same certified quality management systems, and the same commitment to long-term support.
How We Work
We follow a structured, documented process on every aerospace and defence project.
Consultation
We review your current line, your pain points, and your production goals.
Design
Our engineers develop control system schematics and specifications tailored to your product and your compliance requirements.
Build & Testing
We manufacture panels and build control logic in-house, testing thoroughly before it reaches your site.
Commissioning
We install on-site, run dry and wet trials, and train your operators before handover.
Ongoing Support & Optimisation
We provide ongoing servicing, remote monitoring, and 24/7 breakdown response to keep your line running.
Why Manufacturers Choose MASK for Aerospace & Defence Automation
We hold ISO 9001, ISO 17020, and ISO 17025 certifications, and we bring that same quality management discipline to every aerospace and defence project. Our team works across Siemens, Mitsubishi, Unitronics, Allen-Bradley, and Omron platforms, so we recommend the right technology for your application rather than defaulting to a single vendor’s equipment.
We manage every project end to end, from initial design through build, installation, commissioning, and ongoing support, so you work with one accountable engineering partner rather than coordinating multiple contractors. As the shortage of security-cleared, sector-experienced automation engineers continues to affect the industry, we act as an experienced outsourced team who already understands the standards, the documentation, and the scrutiny this sector demands.
Frequently Asked Questions
We hold ISO 9001, ISO 17020, and ISO 17025 certifications, and we design our systems to align with AS9100 and DEFCON standards throughout every project.
Yes. We apply appropriate access controls and confidentiality procedures throughout our design and delivery process for projects involving sensitive or restricted information. Specific clearance requirements are discussed and confirmed on a per-project basis.
Every system revision is formally documented, so a complete change history exists for the full life of the system. This supports both internal review and external audit requirements.
Yes. We regularly modernize outdated PLC and control hardware, upgrading systems to current standards while minimizing disruption to ongoing production.
Yes. We deliver projects across three continents, applying the same engineering standards and documentation discipline wherever the project is based.
Get in Touch
Start Your Aerospace or Defence automation project with Confidence
If you are planning an aerospace or defence automation project, or you need to modernize a legacy control system, our team is ready to help. Explore our other industry sectors or contact us directly to discuss your requirements.
sales@maskcontrols.com
+44 7412 999343