Driven by factors such as the rising demand for phased array radars for better operational efficiency during air surveillance, border surveillance, and commercial applications, airborne radars' market is set to grow significantly. According to the report published by MarketsandMarkets, it is projected to reach $6 billion by 2025 from $4.1 billion in 2020, recording a CAGR of 8.0% in terms of value.
Airborne radar are installed on any airborne platform, such as business jets, fighter aircraft, unmanned aerial vehicles, and helicopters for commercial and military applications.
According to the National Defense Industrial Association (US), an airborne radar can be divided into three major categories: air-target surveillance and cueing radar mounted in rotodomes, nose-mounted fighter radar, and side-looking radar for ground reconnaissance and surveillance. Essentially, it is used to scan an object to obtain a 360-degree view and provide information on the range and altitude of the object. It is primarily used to detect the presence, direction, distance, and speed of aircraft, ships, and other objects. The radar sends out pulses of radio waves, which are reflected off the objects back to the radar.
The airborne radars market is being driven by the increased adoption of advanced combat warfare systems to gain an advantage over enemy forces and the increasing defence expenditure of various countries. Industry players are undertaking R&D activities that focus on improving the capability of these radar to perform in all-weather conditions and provide support in commercial as well as defence operations, such as long-range surveillance, search & rescue, drug interdiction, counterterrorism, and maritime environmental support, among others. Along with this, an increase in the usage of UAV systems and the need for ground surveillance and communication act as key driving factors for the airborne radars market.
Digital signal processor segment
The growth in the airborne radars market is expected to drive the growth of these different components proportionately. The requirement of advanced radar systems and the upgradation and modernisation of conventional radar will help grow the market for radar components. Thus, the growth rate of multiple components, such as transmitters, receivers, and power amplifiers, is expected to be in a similar range during the forecast period.
Software-defined radar segment to lead growth
Growing demand for the versatility of airborne radar in processing various tasks, such as signal generation, filtering, up and down-conversion, etc., through software is driving the growth of this segment. Northrop Grumman Corporation (US), Lockheed Martin Corporation (US), Leonardo SpA (Italy) and BAE Systems (US) are some of the major players that offer technologically advance airborne radars.
Based on dimension, 3D segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during forecast period. 3D airborne radar overcome the challenges faced by 2D radar. They use active electronically scanned arrays with digital beamforming capabilities. These radars are critical for air defence and for applications that require the precise coordinates of a target. Demand for high accuracy in target detection and fully automated operational capabilities are some of the major factors driving the segment growth.
Asia Pacific
The Asia Pacific airborne radars market is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. The growth of the Asia Pacific airborne radars market is primarily driven by increasing focus on the modernisation of existing military systems by major economies in this region. In addition, factors including increasing geopolitical tensions and increased defence-related expenditure are expected to drive airborne radar demand in the region.
NB: Photo is representational. Image Courtesy: Airbus Defence