Airborne ISR Market Forecasts to 2028 – Global Analysis By Solution (Systems, Services, Software and Other Solutions), Fuel Type (Hydrogen Fuel-Cells and Solar Powered), Platform (Propulsion System and Military Aircraft), Application (Search and Rescue Operations, Maritime Patrol and Airborne Ground Surveillance (AGS)), End User and By Geography
According to Stratistics MRC, the Global Airborne ISR Market is accounted for $12,400.0 million in 2022 and is expected to reach $18401.3 billion by 2028 growing at a CAGR of 6.8% during the forecast period. Airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) is the coordinated and integrated collection, processing, and delivery of precise, timely, coherent, and assured information and intelligence to support defense missions. It aids in compiling data on the size, motion, and activities of intruders. It also helps with the tasks of identification, recording, capturing, analyzing, and reporting. It gathers a variety of information for use by covert intelligence. When conducting military and security operations, airborne ISR is essential. The need for airborne ISR is expanding globally as it improves national security and collects information from potential enemies.
According to the analysts, one key driver in the airborne ISR market will be the continuing increased demand for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in military applications. These vehicles are skyrocketing in popularity for military applications, often because their small size, lower cost, and increased reliability are useful in military applications as opposed to manned ISR aircraft.
Market DynamicsDriver Instability on a global and regional scale
A growing number of bilateral militarized conflicts are occurring on a regular basis, which necessitates a corresponding increase in the security and situational awareness measures required of each nation's armed forces. In order to meet the requirements of warfare, new technologies and reconnaissance systems are being developed. Airborne ISR systems are now a standard component of defense gear used in combat operations thanks to the emergence of digital battlefields. In order to keep up with changing needs for warfare, these systems have caused a shift in the priorities of nations' procurement. As a result, nations in this region are increasing their ISR spending to fund new airborne ISR systems that will monitor and protect their borders from these cutting-edge weapons.
RestraintHigh development and upkeep costs
In recent days warfare, airborne ISR systems are crucial. To develop and integrate these systems into a nation's defense capabilities, however, would require significant financial outlays. In order to create a functional multi-domain platform, airborne ISR systems combine various communication, intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems. These systems require costly development, installation, and upkeep. Therefore, a key factor limiting the growth of the airborne ISR market is the cost as well as the time needed for developing and deploying these systems. The upgrade and maintenance of the new manned airborne intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance systems for the Canadian Armed Forces will be handled under an in-service support and maintenance contract that the Canadian government awarded in May 2021 for about USD 72 million.
OpportunityImprovements in technology within the ISR ecosystem
Disruptive technologies are proliferating in the defense sector as a result of rapid technological advancements. Small manned and unmanned surveillance systems for ISR missions are increasingly adopting such cutting-edge technologies. Furthermore, due to the ongoing development of the technologies used for ISR missions, the airborne ISR market is anticipated to expand at a moderate rate. More and more nations are implementing cutting-edge ISR technologies to protect their borders. Due to their expanding use in various battlefield functions, airborne ISR systems and equipment have seen an increase in demand from the defense industry globally. Using cutting-edge technologies like AI and big data to analyze the gathered data, they support ground forces.
ThreatIncorporating new technologies into current systems
Adoption of cutting-edge airborne ISR systems is significantly hampered by the integration of existing systems with newly deployed systems. The integration of these new airborne ISR systems with existing systems is a significant challenge due to the rapid advancement of technology and the accessibility of cutting-edge solutions. For instance, all video surveillance equipment must be integrated with the current systems in order for the perimeter surveillance system to function effectively. The difficulty of these systems' integration has a negative impact on the effectiveness of airborne ISR equipment. New devices occasionally have different protocols, which makes their adoption challenging. It takes time and effort to integrate legacy systems with new technologies, and doing so could divert soldiers from their primary ISR tasks.
Covid-19 ImpactThe COVID-19 pandemic outbreak disrupted the supply chains of the airborne ISR sector and is still posing unprecedented difficulties for nations and businesses. Manufacturers had to deal with the issue of production being halted, which would prevent producers from restocking exhausted stockpiles. The airborne ISR sector has experienced numerous supply problems. As a result of personnel transportation and import or export restrictions, there have also been some raw material shortages for airborne ISR. In addition, the demand for airborne systems used on various platforms, such as land, sea, and air, decreased as the transportation sector slowed down as a result of restrictions on cross-border trade and tourism.
The defense segment is expected to be the largest during the forecast period
The defense segment will hold the largest market share during the forecast period. Due to the development of digital battlefields, airborne ISR equipment is now a component of the defense hardware used in combat operations. Intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) techniques and equipment have seen an increase in demand from the defense sector globally due to their use in various battlefield functions and to support a combat force by utilizing its sensor data while analyzing the gathered information. Due to the rapid advancement of technology, the defense industry is seeing disruptive innovations. These systems have caused governments' procurement priorities to change in order to keep up with shifting military needs.
The unmanned systems segment is expected to have the highest CAGR during the forecast period
The unmanned systems segment is anticipated to witness the fastest CAGR growth during the forecast period. UAVs have become essential tools for ISR missions and are highly sought after on a global scale because they offer low-cost alternatives to countries looking to purchase aerial assets for ISR and other missions. The emergence of new platforms and technologies has altered how countries like the US, Russia, and China conduct warfare. UAVs are widely used in modern warfare because of their superior vision, ability to conduct pre-emptive strikes, and capacity for surveillance of specific locations. UAVs are anticipated to be extensively used to gather crucial data that can serve as a key decision-making tool, as nations have shown a preference for asymmetric warfare.
Region with largest shareDuring the forecast period, North America accounted for the largest market share. The US is one of the top investors in the modernization of its military equipment. The North American Air Force carries out ISR missions to research, educate, and give joint force commanders the information they need to make wise decisions. After contracting L3 Harris Technologies in November 2020, the Army is also in the process of launching a second technology demonstrator known as ARES, or Airborne Reconnaissance and Electronic Warfare System. ARES will have different signals intelligence package than Artemis because it is built on a Bombardier Global Express 6500 aircraft. In recent years, there has been a lot of interest in multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft in the US, and as a result, the US has placed more orders for these aircraft in an effort to improve its maritime surveillance capabilities.
Region with highest CAGRDuring the forecast period, the Asia-Pacific airborne ISR market is anticipated to grow at highest CAGR. China, India, Japan, Australia, South Korea, and the rest of Asia Pacific are all included in this regional market analysis. In order to combat threats resulting from regional conflicts, nations like China, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan, and Australia are strengthening their combat zone systems by investing in air defense systems. Airborne ISR capabilities are necessary for border surveillance, intelligence gathering, and critical infrastructure security.
Key players in the marketSome of the key players in Airborne ISR market include Airbus SE, BAE Systems PLC, Boeing , CACI International, Inc., Elbit Systems Ltd. , FLIR Systems Inc , Hensoldt AG, Honeywell International , Kratos Defense & Security Solutions Inc., L3Harris Technologies, Inc., Leonardo SPA, Lockheed Martin , Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Teledyne Technologies, Inc., Textron, Inc., Thales Raytheon Systems, The Boeing Company and UTC Aerospace Systems
Key DevelopmentsIn September 2022, The Royal Thai Navy awarded Elbit Systems a USD 120 million contract to deliver Hermes 900 marine unmanned aerial systems (UAS) and training capabilities. Under the three-year deal, Elbit Systems will offer UAS systems with marine radar, electro-optic payload, satellite communication, droppable inflated life rafts, and other capabilities.
In September 2022, US Navy awarded Lockheed Martin Corporation a contract to develop advanced electro-optical targeting systems that offer clear resolutions for the F-35.
In July 2021, Northrop Grumman Corporation developed the active electronically scanned array (AESA) AN/APG-83 Scalable Agile Beam Radar software for the F-16 Viper fighter aircraft.
Solutions Covered
• Systems
• Services
• Software
• Other Solutions
Fuel Types Covered
• Hydrogen Fuel-Cells
• Solar Powered
• Alternate Fuel
• Battery Operated
• Gas-Electric Hybrids
• Other Fuel Types
Platforms Covered
• Propulsion System
• Military Aircraft
• Military Helicopters
• Unmanned Systems
• Medium-altitude Long Endurance (MALE) UAVs
• High-altitude Long Endurance (HALE) UAVs
• Other Platforms
Applications Covered
• Search and Rescue Operations
• Maritime Patrol
• Airborne Ground Surveillance (AGS)
• Airborne Early Warnings
• Signal Intelligence
• Law Enforcement
• Electronic Warfare
• Airborne Early Warning and Control (AEWC)
• Target Acquisition and Tracking
• Critical Infrastructure Protection
• Delivery & Logistics
• Surveillance & Reconnaissance
• Engineering
• Survey and Mapping
• Tactical Support
• Manned Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance
• Unmanned Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance
• Other Applications
End Users Covered
• Defense
• Homeland Security
• Other End Users
Regions Covered
• North America
US
Canada
Mexico
• Europe
Germany
UK
Italy
France
Spain
Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
Japan
China
India
Australia
New Zealand
South Korea
Rest of Asia Pacific
• South America
Argentina
Brazil
Chile
Rest of South America
• Middle East & Africa
Saudi Arabia
UAE
Qatar
South Africa
Rest of Middle East & Africa
What our report offers- Market share assessments for the regional and country-level segments
- Strategic recommendations for the new entrants
- Covers Market data for the years 2020, 2021, 2022, 2025, and 2028
- Market Trends (
Drivers, Constraints, Opportunities,
Threats, Challenges, Investment Opportunities, and recommendations)
- Strategic recommendations in key business segments based on the market estimations
- Competitive landscaping mapping the key common trends
- Company profiling with detailed strategies, financials, and recent developments
- Supply chain trends mapping the latest technological advancements