Airborne Fire Control Radar Market Report 2025

The airborne fire control radar market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $2.88 billion in 2024 to $3.07 billion in 2025 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to military modernization programs, threat evolution, cold war era developments, integration with fighter aircraft, multi-functionality requirements, global conflicts and counterterrorism operations.

The airborne fire control radar market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $3.9 billion in 2029 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.2%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to rapid advancements in radar electronics, integration with network-centric warfare, emphasis on beyond visual range engagement, demand for lightweight and compact systems, development of passive and covert systems, global expansion of airborne surveillance. Major trends in the forecast period include advancements in active electronically scanned array (AESA) technology, implementation of gallium nitride (GAN) technology, increased focus on software-defined radars, incorporation of artificial intelligence (ai).

The increasing military expenditure is expected to drive the growth of the airborne fire control radar market in the coming years. Military expenditure refers to the funds allocated by a government to equip its military with weapons, equipment, and personnel. Airborne fire control radars are utilized in the military to detect and track significant targets, including threats from both manned and unmanned aircraft, vehicles, individuals, and rocket, artillery, and mortar systems (RAM). They provide precise target localization, including the altitude and velocity of aerial and ground-based threats. For example, the European Defense Agency, a Belgium-based intergovernmental agency of the European Union, reported that in 2022, European defense spending reached a record €240 billion, marking a 6% increase from the previous year and representing the eighth consecutive year of growth. Among the 27 EU Member States, 20 increased their defense budgets, with six countries raising expenditures by more than 10%. Therefore, the rise in military expenditure is fueling demand for the airborne fire control radar market.

The expanding demand for aircraft is anticipated to drive the growth of the airborne fire control radar market. Aircraft, defined as machines propelled in the air and supported by buoyancy or aerodynamic forces, greatly benefit from airborne fire control radar systems. These systems are pivotal in providing precise guidance to pilots during the identification and engagement of enemy aircraft or ground targets. For instance, as per a report shared by Airbus SE in February 2023, there were 1,078 gross orders for commercial aircraft in 2022 - an increase from 771 in 2021. Additionally, there were 820 net orders (post-cancellations) in 2022, surging from 507 in 2021. This surge in aircraft demand significantly influences the growth trajectory of the airborne fire control radar market.

Technological advancements represent a prominent trend driving the evolution of the airborne fire control radar market. Key industry players operating in this sector are deeply engaged in developing cutting-edge products to fortify their foothold in the market. For instance, in August 2022, Northrop Grumman Corporation, a US-based aerospace and defense technology firm, showcased its AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task Oriented Radar (G/ATOR), an advanced fire control radar system tailored for the Marine Corps. The multifunction sensor AN/TPS-80 G/ATOR exhibited the capability to concurrently detect and track numerous cruise missile threats. Following its launch, G/ATOR effectively tracked each target, transmitting real-time data to intercept several cruise missile threats from varying angles. In a simulated enemy attack scenario, the AN/TPS-80 demonstrated diverse performance capabilities, distinguishing itself as the most advanced expeditionary radar globally. Its unparalleled ability to detect multiple airborne targets simultaneously, coupled with precise 360-degree surveillance and weapons-grade accuracy, positions G/ATOR at the forefront of fire control radar technology.

Prominent entities within the airborne fire control radar market are strategically focusing on showcasing their advanced fire control radar equipment to gain a competitive advantage. The demonstration of such equipment for advanced capabilities involves employing diverse devices and systems aimed at enhancing the precision and dependability of fire control radar systems. For instance, in August 2022, Northrop Grumman Corporation, a renowned aerospace and defense company headquartered in the US, conducted a demonstration of its AN/TPS-80 Ground/Air Task-Oriented Radar (G/ATOR), showcasing its advanced fire control radar capabilities tailored for the US Marine Corps. These tests were part of the Ground Based Air Defense Medium-Range Intercept Capability (GBAD MRIC), a developmental program initiated by the U.S. Marine Corps to swiftly prototype and enhance air defense capabilities. GBAD MRIC aims to safeguard high-value areas and assets from potential threats posed by airborne entities like cruise missiles and aircraft.

In April 2023, BlueHalo LLC, a defense and space manufacturing company based in the United States, acquired Verus Technology Group Inc. for an undisclosed amount. This acquisition aims to enhance BlueHalo's offerings by integrating Verus’s technology with BlueHalo’s AI-driven RF-based Titan c-UAS, Locust directed energy c-UAS, and Argus Perimeter Security solutions. This integration will improve the company's capacity to deliver advanced products for military support and infrastructure protection in rapidly changing threat environments. Verus Technology Group Inc. specializes in RF-based detection and fire control radar solutions within the defense and space manufacturing sector.

Major companies operating in the airborne fire control radar market are Bharat Electronics Limited, Hensoldt AG, Israel Aerospace Industries Ltd., Leonardo S.p.A., Lockheed Martin Corporation, BAE Systems PLC, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Saab AB, Thales Group, General Dynamics Corporation, Airbus SE, ASELSAN A.S., Honeywell International Inc., NEC Corporation, L3Harris Technologies Inc., ELTA Systems Ltd., Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Elbit Systems Ltd., Kongsberg Gruppen.

North America was the largest region in the airborne fire control radar market in 2024. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the airborne fire control radar market report are Asia-Pacific, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa. The countries covered in the airborne fire control radar market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

Airborne fire control radars (FCRs) on fast-strike aircraft play a crucial role as pulse Doppler radars, providing essential target information to weapon fire control systems.

These radars operate in different frequency bands, including L and S-band, X-band, and Ku, K, or Ka-band. L-band covers the frequency range of 1-2 GHz in the radio spectrum, while S-band is part of the microwave band defined by IEEE standards for radio waves. The platforms employing airborne fire control radar include fighter jets, combat helicopters, and other aircraft utilized for air-to-ground, air-to-sea, and air-to-air communications. These radars are integral to enhancing the situational awareness and targeting capabilities of fast-strike aircraft in various operational scenarios.

The airborne fire control radar market research report is one of a series of new reports that provides airborne fire control radar market statistics, including airborne fire control radar industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with airborne fire control radar market share, detailed airborne fire control radar market segments, market trends and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the airborne fire control radar industry. This airborne fire control radar market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

The airborne fire control radar market consists of sales of airborne fire control radars used to control the delivery of fire on a military target. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is, the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD, unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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