Airbus deploys private 5G networks to boost digital factories

Airbus is expanding its digital manufacturing capabilities through the deployment of private 5G networks at its production facilities with the support of Ericsson.

The companies have completed the implementation of a private 5G solution at Airbus' site in Hamburg, Germany, and a similar deployment is in progress at the Toulouse manufacturing facility in France. These deployments underpin Airbus' broader digitalization strategy, aiming to improve manufacturing automation, asset tracking, operational efficiency, and compliance with safety and security protocols in a highly regulated industry.

Private 5G rollout

The rollouts are part of an ongoing collaboration between Airbus and Ericsson that will see private 5G extended to additional production locations across the United Kingdom, the United States, Spain, and more countries as Airbus pursues digital standardisation at a global scale.

Ericsson Private 5G was selected as the backbone of this effort. The technology is designed to deliver reliable, secure, and high-performance connectivity, supporting a range of high-value use cases within industrial environments. By utilising built-in infrastructure automation, the solution allows for rapid deployment, reducing timeframes compared to conventional network set-ups. The modular system and API-driven architecture are compatible with Airbus' existing IT and cybersecurity requirements, ensuring ease of integration and robust protections.

The Hamburg facility's private 5G network is now fully operational, while the Toulouse deployment, scheduled for completion by 2026, is underway. These advancements are part of a plan to implement private 5G across other Airbus sites in Europe and internationally, with projects anticipated in North America including the United States.

Industrial digitalisation

The private 5G networks form a critical foundation for Airbus' digital transformation and automation programmes. Enhanced connectivity from the operator's workstation to the aircraft cabin supports projects involving 3D simulation, augmented reality, asset traceability, and predictive maintenance. These technologies are central to the ongoing evolution of Airbus' manufacturing and quality control processes, as well as to the wider aspirations of Industry 4.0.

"Our objective is to migrate all our industrial networks towards 5G to ensure unified, ultra-reliable connectivity from the operator's workstation to the aircraft cabin. This deployment accelerates projects involving 3D simulation, augmented reality, improved traceability for parts, and predictive maintenance for our assets. The standardization and scalability made possible by this architecture allow us to replicate the solution easily across further sites in Europe and worldwide," said Hakim Achouri, 5G expert at Airbus.

Capabilities enabled by the 5G deployment include integration of Internet of Things (IoT) devices, intelligent management of critical equipment, real-time quality control, and collaborative robotics. The comprehensive site coverage provides high-speed, low-latency connectivity, which is necessary for the mobility of machines and operators across shop floors and production lines.

Collaboration and future focus

The partnership between Ericsson and Airbus highlights a close working relationship to progress industrial digitalisation.

"Our collaboration with Airbus embodies the alliance between technological innovation and industrial excellence. Ericsson is proud to support Airbus' digitalization ambitions through Ericsson Private 5G, offering best-in-class, secure connectivity at scale," said Manish Tiwari, Head of Enterprise 5G, Enterprise Wireless Solutions, Ericsson.

This first phase of private 5G deployment marks the beginning of a more extensive digital transformation at Airbus. Both companies are pursuing additional joint research and development efforts, covering future advances such as connected aircraft cabins, 6G, and nonterrestrial networks to further strengthen connectivity and inspire new manufacturing applications.

The aspiration is to support not only factory environments but also to accelerate the use of 5G in office-based applications and across other parts of the business. This expansion forms part of a long-term strategy to create a consistent digital backbone across all Airbus sites globally, scaling their innovation and standardisation efforts.

Both firms have emphasised the goal of future-proofing industrial operations through technology collaboration, laying a foundation for the next generation of digitally enabled smart factories across the aerospace sector and beyond.