Counterfeit Part Prevention in the Aerospace Supply Chain

The Counterfeit Parts Risk in Aerospace

Counterfeit parts — components that misrepresent their source, materials, performance or conformance — entered the aerospace supply chain in significant volumes during the component shortages of 2021–2023, and the risk has not diminished as supply chains normalised. Counterfeit electronic components, fasteners, and bearings have been identified in flight-critical applications at Tier 2 and Tier 3 suppliers who lacked the inspection and qualification capability to detect them.

AS5553 (counterfeit electronic parts) and AS6081 (fraudulent/counterfeit parts) set the aerospace industry requirements for counterfeit prevention. Most prime contractors and Tier 1 suppliers now require their supply chain to demonstrate compliance with these standards. This guide walks through the programme elements that satisfy both standards and the prime contractor requirements that reference them.