Airborne Radar Market By Type (Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR), Weather Radar, Ground Moving Target Indicator (GMTI), Airborne Early Warning (AEW)), By Technology (Active Radar, Passive Radar, Phased Array Radar, Software-Defined Radar (SDR)), By End-User (Military & Defense, Commercial Aviation, Homeland Security, Aerospace & Aviation), By Platform (Aircraft, Helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), Satellites), and By Region; Global Insights & Forecast (2023 – 2030)

As per Intent Market Research, the Airborne Radar Market was valued at USD 8.9 billion in 2024-e and will surpass USD 14.9 billion by 2030; growing at a CAGR of 8.9% during 2025 - 2030.

The airborne radar market is witnessing significant growth due to advancements in radar technology and increasing demand for improved surveillance, navigation, and communication systems. Airborne radars are crucial in both military and commercial aviation, offering critical capabilities for detecting, tracking, and targeting objects, even in adverse weather conditions. The integration of radar systems into various platforms, such as aircraft, UAVs, and helicopters, is enhancing the operational efficiency and effectiveness of military forces and civil aviation.

With the rise of modern warfare and the ongoing need for national security, the demand for airborne radar systems in defense applications continues to escalate. Moreover, the commercial aviation sector is adopting advanced radar systems to improve flight safety, enhance weather monitoring capabilities, and provide more reliable navigation systems. Technological innovations, such as software-defined radar (SDR) and phased array radar, are driving the next generation of airborne radar systems, offering greater accuracy, reliability, and versatility.

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Is Largest Due to Enhanced Surveillance and Targeting Capabilities

The Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) segment is the largest within the airborne radar market, owing to its advanced surveillance and targeting capabilities. SAR systems are highly effective in military and defense applications for detecting and tracking objects, even through clouds, fog, or at night. The ability of SAR to generate high-resolution images of the Earth's surface is particularly valuable for reconnaissance, surveillance, and intelligence-gathering operations, making it indispensable in both military and homeland security applications.

SAR systems are increasingly being integrated into various airborne platforms, including fighter jets, UAVs, and helicopters, to enhance situational awareness and provide real-time data for decision-making. As the need for effective monitoring and target identification in complex environments grows, SAR continues to be the preferred radar technology in the market, supporting a wide range of defense and security operations.

Software-Defined Radar (SDR) Is Fastest Growing Owing to Flexibility and Adaptability

The Software-Defined Radar (SDR) segment is the fastest growing in the airborne radar market, owing to its high flexibility, adaptability, and ability to offer customizable radar functions. SDR technology allows radar systems to be reconfigured and upgraded through software changes, without requiring significant hardware modifications. This makes SDR an attractive solution for both military and commercial applications, as it enables real-time adjustments and enhancements to radar capabilities based on changing operational needs.

SDR systems are increasingly being deployed in modern airborne radar platforms, providing advanced features such as adaptive beamforming, improved signal processing, and dynamic frequency management. The ability to upgrade radar capabilities without significant hardware overhaul makes SDR a highly versatile and cost-effective solution, driving its rapid adoption in defense, aerospace, and aviation sectors.

Military & Defense End-User Segment Leads Owing to Growing Demand for Advanced Surveillance Systems

The military & defense end-user segment holds the largest share in the airborne radar market, driven by the increasing need for advanced radar systems in national security and defense applications. Military forces around the world are increasingly adopting airborne radar systems for surveillance, reconnaissance, and target tracking in complex operational environments. These systems provide real-time situational awareness, enabling military personnel to detect and identify threats with high precision.

As military operations become more data-driven and technologically advanced, the demand for highly sophisticated radar systems, including SAR, SDR, and phased array radar, is expected to rise. The integration of radar technologies in defense aircraft, UAVs, and helicopters to enhance operational capabilities and improve mission success rates is a key factor driving growth in this segment.

Aircraft Platform Dominates the Market Due to Extensive Use in Military and Commercial Aviation

The aircraft platform segment dominates the airborne radar market, owing to the extensive use of radar systems in both military and commercial aviation. In the military sector, airborne radar systems are essential for surveillance, reconnaissance, target tracking, and navigation in a variety of aircraft, including fighter jets, bombers, and reconnaissance planes. In commercial aviation, radar systems are increasingly integrated into aircraft to enhance flight safety, improve weather monitoring, and enable advanced navigation systems.

Airborne radar systems deployed in aircraft play a critical role in improving situational awareness, ensuring flight safety, and providing real-time data for mission-critical operations. As both military and commercial aviation continue to embrace technological advancements, the demand for sophisticated radar systems in aircraft is expected to remain strong.

North America Leads the Market Due to Robust Defense Infrastructure and Investments

North America leads the airborne radar market, driven by robust defense infrastructure and significant investments in advanced radar systems. The United States, with its large-scale defense spending and technological advancements, is a key player in the development and deployment of airborne radar systems. The U.S. military, along with major aerospace companies, continues to drive innovation in radar technologies, investing in advanced systems for surveillance, reconnaissance, and security applications.

Moreover, the growing focus on enhancing homeland security and defense capabilities is further propelling the demand for airborne radar systems in the region. As defense and aerospace companies in North America continue to innovate and integrate advanced radar technologies into military and commercial platforms, the region is expected to maintain its leadership in the global airborne radar market.

Competitive Landscape and Key Players

The airborne radar market is highly competitive, with several leading players offering advanced radar solutions for defense, aerospace, and commercial aviation applications. Key players in the market include Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Raytheon Technologies Corporation, Thales Group, and Leonardo S.p.A. These companies are at the forefront of developing and deploying cutting-edge radar technologies, such as SAR, phased array radar, and SDR, to meet the growing demands of the military and commercial sectors.

To maintain a competitive edge, these companies are focusing on continuous innovation, strategic collaborations, and expanding their product portfolios. With ongoing investments in R&D and the development of next-generation radar systems, the competition in the airborne radar market is expected to intensify, driving further technological advancements and growth in the sector.

Recent Developments:

• In December 2024, Lockheed Martin launched a new radar system for military surveillance and reconnaissance.
• In November 2024, Northrop Grumman introduced an advanced phased array radar for airborne defense applications.
• In October 2024, Raytheon Technologies secured a contract to provide synthetic aperture radar (SAR) systems for military aircraft.
• In September 2024, Thales Group unveiled a new weather radar system for commercial aviation.
• In August 2024, BAE Systems expanded its radar technology portfolio with a new airborne early warning radar for naval defense.

List of Leading Companies:

• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Raytheon Technologies Corporation
• Thales Group
• BAE Systems Plc
• Leonardo S.p.A.
• Saab Group
• Airbus Group
• Elbit Systems Ltd.
• Honeywell International Inc.
• L3Harris Technologies
• Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI)
• Rockwell Collins
• Mitsubishi Electric Corporation
• General Dynamics Corporation

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