Bloc Digital: Powering the Future of Aerospace, Advanced Manufacturing, and Defence Through Digital Innovation

Bloc Digital, a multi-award-winning digital solutions company, has established itself as a leading force in transforming industrial sectors, with a particular focus on aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and military applications. With a vision "to be a leading provider of Digital Marketing and Digital Solutions to Military, Aerospace, Defence and Space," Bloc Digital is at the forefront of leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance efficiency, safety, and operational performance.

Based in Derby, UK, with a growing presence in the USA, Bloc Digital has evolved from a 3D modelling and animation studio, founded in 2000, into a comprehensive digital solutions provider. Their team of over 50 in-house specialists works with integrity and impact for a global portfolio of multi-national and blue-chip organisations.

Core Capabilities and Sector-Specific Impact: Bloc Digital specialises in supporting industrial sectors with marketing, training, and Industry 4.0 solutions, utilising six core disciplines: design, 3D modelling, animation, immersive technologies, software, and data. Their expertise translates into:

• Advanced Visualisation and Immersive Technologies: Bloc Digital excels in transforming complex data into engaging, interactive content through virtual reality (VR), augmented reality (AR), and extended reality (XR) experiences. This includes creating immersive virtual simulations for realistic training scenarios, particularly beneficial for MRO (Maintenance, Repair, and Overhaul) technicians in the aerospace sector.
• Digital Twins and Data Visualisation: The company creates digital twins for real-time monitoring and predictive maintenance, enhancing operational efficiency. For instance, they were chosen to support JCB in creating their first Industry 4.0 ‘Factory of the Future’, leveraging digital twin and data visualisation capabilities to digitally transform production.
• Design and Engineering Enhancement: Through advanced visualisation and 3D modelling, Bloc Digital empowers aerospace engineers to streamline design iterations and optimise aircraft performance. Their services include precise technical publications and high-quality 3D models and animations to support design and engineering efforts.
• Strategic Marketing and Training Solutions: They develop engaging course content and point-of-need resources that build skills and sustain knowledge. Their marketing capabilities extend to multi-media solutions, bringing next-generation technology to life, such as their work in visualising Future Combat Air Systems (FCAS). They also create compelling digital marketing assets that resonate with technical audiences.

Key Partnerships and Client Successes: Bloc Digital is trusted by prominent global names across the aerospace, defence, aviation, manufacturing, and engineering sectors. Their client roster includes industry leaders such as:

• Rolls-Royce Defence
• Airbus
• BAE Systems
• Leonardo UK
• Bombardier
• Kongsberg Maritime
• Marshall Aerospace
• Siemens
• JCB
• Manchester Airports Group
• The Military

Notable projects include delivering a detailed interactive VR experience for Marshall Aerospace’s ARC Radar for an air show, completing it ahead of schedule. They also played a crucial role in envisioning the future of Blue Abyss Ohio, supporting the world's largest and deepest Aerospace R&D pool with stunning digital imagery and animation.

Global Expansion and Innovation Ecosystem: Bloc Digital's growth strategy includes a significant expansion into the United States. Following the establishment of their U.S. HQ in Mentor, Ohio, they announced an expansion into Wichita, Kansas, in October 2024. This move is highly strategic, as Wichita is known as the "Air Capital of the World," positioning Bloc Digital in close proximity to key clients and partners, further enhancing collaboration and driving innovation within the aerospace community. The company aims to establish a key creative and technology hub in Wichita, with plans for team expansion.



Their commitment to innovation is further demonstrated through their long-term Strategic Partnership Agreement with the University of Derby since 2016. This collaboration has supported Bloc Digital’s rapid growth and enabled joint research and development, including an Innovate-UK funded feasibility study investigating the application of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and deep learning systems to transform rail and road inspections.

By harnessing their industry-leading knowledge and capabilities in future-forward technologies, including IoT and immersive realities, Bloc Digital continues to be a driving force in the digital transformation of the aerospace, advanced manufacturing, and military sectors, supporting progress and innovation globally.