AS9100 is the newest version of the aerospace industry standard. AS9100 incorporates all the elements of ISO 9001, plus additional elements unique to the aerospace industry. One of the important features of AS9100 is the resurrection of some critical elements of MIL-Q, the military specifications that were shelved when ISO 9000 first came on the scene.

The standard was developed by a committee of procurement, purchasing and quality executives from the major U.S. aerospace manufacturers as a way to reduce defects in the supplier chain; continually improve quality; boost customer satisfaction; and considerably reduce the number of hours spent on audits, requirements and documentation. Instead of having to comply with many differing quality requirements and standards for each customer, aerospace industry suppliers and subcontractors now had for the first time a single aerospace standard that would be accepted across the board.

In the next few years, the standard promises to become increasingly important to the thousands of companies who supply parts and services to aircraft and aerospace manufacturers. Most of the major aircraft engine manufacturers, such as General Electric's Aircraft Engine division (GEAE), Boeing, Rolls-Royce Allison and Pratt & Whitney, are already requiring registration to AS9100.