High-altitude platform systems (HAPS) are autonomous aerial vehicles which fly at very high altitudes in the stratosphere. There are three types of vehicles which together comprise the HAPS currently under development. These are aerostatic balloons, aerostatic airships, and aerodynamic fixed-wing aircraft. The platforms are commonly composed of airframes, power systems, and various payloads, dependent on the intended mission.
The road to widescale deployment of HAPS in defense, civil, and commercial roles has not been smooth. Leading tech companies including Alphabet and Facebook (now Meta) have seen their efforts fall by the wayside, with Alphabet's Loon and Facebook's Aquila closure in 2021 and 2016, respectively. However, the continued persistent investment sector receives, despite these setbacks, is ultimately a testament to its potential. Going forward, it is likely that advances in photovoltaic panels and battery technologies will increase powerplant efficiency. This will serve to increase both the operational capabilities of HAPS and their economic viability as a commercially operated platform.
This report provides an overview of the high altitude platform systems theme, outlining advances in technology and key programs, highlighting emerging market trends and providing insight into current procurement or research trends.
Studies of emerging technological trends and their broader impact on the developments of the HAPS market.
Analysis of the impact HAPS technology could have in commercial and defense missions.
Scope
- The key technological challenges that operators and developers face are covered.
- The investment opportunities for civil, commercial and defense applications in the HAPS value chain are covered.
- Highlights from the range different development programs currently being undertaken by various firms.
Reasons to Buy
- Determine potential investment companies based on trend analysis and market projections.
- Gaining an understanding of the market challenges and opportunities surrounding the High Altitude Platform Systems theme.
Table of Contents
- Executive summary
- Players
- Technology Briefing
- The three categories of HAPS
- Trends
- Technology trends
- Macroeconomic trends
- Regulatory trends
- Industry Analysis
- Market size and growth forecasts
- Use cases
- Mergers and acquisitions
- Timeline
- Value Chain
- Airframes
- Powerplants
- Payloads
- Command and control
- Communications
- Software
- Companies
- Public companies
- Private companies
- Universities
- Sector Scorecards
- Defense sector scorecard
- Glossary
- Further Reading
- Thematic Research Methodology
Companies Mentioned (Partial List)
A selection of companies mentioned in this report includes, but is not limited to:
- Airbus
- Amprius
- BAE Systems
- Bharti Airtel
- Boeing
- Capgemini Engineering
- Deutsche Telekom
- Ericsson
- Gilat Satellite Networks
- IntelSat
- KDDI Corporation
- Kratos Defense & Security Solutions
- Mynaric
- Nokia
- NTT DoCoMo
- Filtronic
- SKY Perfect JSAT
- SoftBank
- Stratosyst
- AeroVironment
- Airservices Australia
- Auriga Aerospace
- Aurora Flight Sciences
- B2Space
- Dhruva Space
- ESEN Manouba
- HAPSMobile
- Kea Aerospace
- Kraus Hamdani Aerospace
- Leichtwerk AG
- MicroLink Devices
- Near Space
- NICT
- Radisys
- Raven Aerostar
- Sceye
- Sonaca
- Stratospheric Platforms
- Stratotegic
- TAO Trans Atmospheric Operations
- Thales Alenia Space
- Uavos
