Augmented Reality (AR) in Aerospace and Defense - Thematic Research
Summary
In defense, AR is currently used in manufacturing and engineering. AR is multifaceted, enabling employees to work more accurately, aiding remote assistance collaboration, and replacing paper manuals by providing step-by-step instructions. Due to the inherent advantages of remote assistance and instruction, military medics are also adopting AR. In addition, AR is becoming an increasingly crucial part of military training, as simulated assets can be overlaid onto the real world. AR has battlefield applications for pilots and soldiers, enhancing situational awareness (SA) – refers to the understanding and perception of one’s surrounding and the ability to comprehend the current situation and make informed decision, mission planning, and reaction time.
A key driver in the widespread adoption of this technology is Microsoft’s AR headset, the HoloLens, which can be modified with specialized software to adapt to different scenarios. The integrated visual augmentation system (IVAS) is an AR heads-up display (HUD) based on the HoloLens that the US Army commissioned from Microsoft in a $21.9 billion deal in 2021. Major defense contractors are also active in developing AR. For example, Elbit Systems has created several AR products for battlefield applications and training initiatives. Similarly, BAE Systems developed AR smart glasses in 2019 that use free-space tracking technology to display guidance, targeting, and mission-specific data to the wearer.
According to GlobalData forecasts, the AR market will be worth $100 billion by 2030, up from $22 billion in 2022. AR software will generate most of this revenue, with limited spending on AR headsets and AR smart glasses.
Key Highlights
- Studies of emerging technological trends and their broader impact on the defense market.
- Analysis of the various augmented reality programs and projects currently under development, as well as the diverse range of applications and use cases for this technology in both the civil and military domains.
- The key defense challenges that forces and defense sector suppliers face are covered.
- The investment opportunities for armed forces, suppliers, and institutional investors, across the whole augmented reality technology value chain are covered.
- Highlights from the range different augmented reality related research and development programs currently being undertaken by various military organizations and defense companies.
- Determine potential investment companies based on trend analysis and market projections.
- Gaining an understanding of the market challenges and opportunities surrounding the augmented reality in aerospace and defense theme.
- Understanding how spending on augmented reality and related segments will fit into the overall market and which spending areas are being prioritized.
- Executive Summary
- Players
- Defense Challenges
- The Impact of Augmented Reality on Defense
- How AR helps tackle the challenge of competing spending priorities
- How AR helps tackle the challenge of cybersecurity
- How AR helps tackle the challenge of the data deluge
- How AR helps tackle the challenge of digitalization
- How AR helps tackle the challenge of training and education
- Case Studies
- Lockheed Martin and Korea Aerospace incorporate Red 6’s ATARS for T-50 aircraft
- The US Army uses Microsoft HoloLens for the IVAS program
- Project Odyssey will form the backbone of a military training collaboration
- Augmented Reality Timeline
- Market Size and Growth Forecasts
- AR software
- AR hardware
- Signals
- M&A trends
- Patent trends
- Company filing trends
- Hiring trends
- Augmented Reality Value Chain
- Semiconductors
- Central processing units
- Graphics processing units
- Vision processing units
- Image processors
- Communication chips
- Micro-electromechanical systems (MEMS)
- Memory chips
- Components
- Motion tracking
- Batteries
- Displays
- Cameras and 3D lenses
- Audio component
- Machine vision
- Devices
- Smartphones
- AR smart glasses
- AR headsets
- Platforms
- The impact of generative AI
- Apps and content
- Companies
- Leading augmented reality adopters in defense
- Leading augmented reality vendors
- Specialist augmented reality vendors in defense
- Sector Scorecard
- Defense sector scorecard
- Who’s who
- Thematic screen
- Valuation screen
- Risk screen
- Glossary
- Further Reading
- GlobalData reports
- Our Thematic Research Methodology
- About GlobalData
- Contact Us
- List of Tables
- Table 1: Key challenges currently facing the defense sector.
- Table 2: M&A trends
- Table 3: Leading augmented reality adopters in defense
- Table 4: Leading augmented reality vendors
- Table 5:- Specialist augmented reality vendors in defense
- Table 6: Glossary
- Table 7v GlobalData reports:
- List of Figures
- Figure 1: Key players in augmented reality
- Figure 2: AR-related social media mentions in the defense sector
- Figure 3: Thematic investment matrix
- Figure 4: Red 6’s ATARS AR training mission
- Figure 5: The US Army’s IVAS 1.2
- Figure 6: BAE Systems’ Project Odyssey
- Figure 7: The augmented reality story
- Figure 8: AR will become a $100 billion market by 2030
- Figure 9: Enterprise AR will continue to be more lucrative than the consumer market by 2030
- Figure 10: AR software will dominate the market over the forecast period
- Figure 11: The AR software market will generate $82 billion in revenue by 2030
- Figure 12: The AR hardware market will be worth $18 billion by 2030
- Figure 13: AR headsets will lead the AR hardware market
- Figure 14: AR-related patents in defense grew between 2003 and 2022, but declined in 2023
- Figure 15: Aerospace is the leading sector for AR-related patents, while the US dominates the publication counts
- Figure 16: Safran had the most mentions of AR in company filings
- Figure 17: AR-related active jobs in the ADS sector peaked in July 2023
- Figure 18: The augmented reality value chain
- Figure 19: AR value chain – Semiconductors
- Figure 20: AR value chain – ComponentsLeaders and challengers
- Figure 21: AR value chain – Devices
- Figure 22: AR value chain – Platforms
- Figure 23: AR value chain – Platforms - AI
- Figure 24: AR value chain – Apps and content
- Figure 25: Who does what in the defense space?
- Figure 26: Thematic screen
- Figure 27: Valuation screen
- Figure 28: Risk screen
- Figure 29: Our five-step approach for generating a sector scorecard
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