That inflight movie you enjoyed on your way from Milwaukee to Los Angeles might have kept you entertained, but it also could have given hackers easier access to your private information.
Adam Aerospace, based in Milwaukee, uses blockchain technology to verify and protect aircraft data. The company will eventually roll out services to protect commercial air flight information to make sure the next time you watch “Top Gun Maverick,” you are safe.
“The goal was to create a software that can take any data set, read it in a matter of a second or less, and put it on chain,” said Michael Anton Adam, CEO of Adam Aerospace.
“Once we were building it, we pretty soon realized that the applications in aerospace and defense were pretty spectacular, if we could pull them off.”
Adam studied business at Vanderbilt University for his undergraduate degree, and has an MBA from EM-Lyon in France and a professional certification for Artificial Intelligence from MIT. However, Milwaukee has always had a special place in his heart.
“I’m from Milwaukee, we started here, and we plan to keep it here. We’re actually growing, we’re hiring right now,” he said. “We’re looking for some talented full stack developers. We’re also looking for some blockchain technologists as well. “
Adam Aerospace has five employees and Adam believes the aerospace industry in Milwaukee is growing as well as the tech industry. He is the chairman of a group called Wisconsin Aerospace Partners, a support organization engaged with the aerospace industry.
Blockchain adopted by more industries
At its core, blockchain maintains and keeps track of data so different stakeholders can access it. It works by recording every transaction in a peer-by-peer network using a coded linked block structure replicated across network participants.
Every time a new block of data is created, it is added to the end of the chain. This allows all transactions and data to be recorded in the chain, according to the Aerospace Industry website.
Blockchain has been used mainly by the financial sector, but it has become more common in industries such as aerospace. It allows users to address a variety of safety concerns, protecting data such as maps, charts, and flight plans. A lot of this data is unencrypted, making it more vulnerable.
In 2021, Adam received a grant from the Air Force for blockchain-based secure downloading in manned and unmanned aircraft. This past year the company moved on to phase two of the project.
“The percent rates of success of actually obtaining phase twos, it’s pretty low, nationally. So we’re very excited,” Adam said.
The company also has worked with the Air National Guard in Madison and Milwaukee as well as the Air Force and Space Force to verify and protect critical flight data, weapon systems, satellite communications, and personnel records.
Chain Tracks, a product created by Adam Aerospace, is embedded within the aircraft’s software and can sign and secure data. The Chain Tracks technology ensures that nobody is messing with or changing the data in real-time.
Blockchain could also be used in commercial aircraft, which are more vulnerable to cyberattacks. They have in-flight entertainment systems as well as internet, and they receive a software update, most of which is unencrypted, putting passenger data and information at risk, Adam said.
Adam has ambitions to expand internationally.
“We’ve had talks with Business Alliance, France, about possibly opening up a European location. Just because a lot of the aircraft manufacturers we work with or are targeting have facilities there — like Airbus and Boeing. ” Adam said.
Wisconsin has recently gained attention from aerospace companies impressed with the state’s “cutting-edge research and development in nanotechnology, engineering, power and control systems, and composite materials,” according to the Wisconsin Economic Development Corp.
“I would love to see the aerospace industry in Wisconsin grow,” Adam said.
“There’s a ton of opportunity for the city whether it’s becoming the next hotbed for unmanned aerial systems testing, becoming a hub for electric or autonomous aircraft testing.”
