Missile Guidance System Market Size - By Launch Platform (Air-to-Air, Air-to-Surface, Surface-to-Air, Anti-ship, Anti-tank), End User (Unmanned Aerial Vehicles), Ground Vehicles, Combat Aircrafts, Ships, Submarines), Guidance System & Forecast, 2024 - 2032

Missile Guidance System Market Size

Missile Guidance System Market size was valued at USD 925 million in 2023 and is anticipated to grow at a CAGR of over 5% between 2024 and 2032. The rising focus on missile technology development is driving the market for missile guidance systems. Guidance technologies are being continuously enhanced to improve the accuracy and reliability of missile strikes. This includes the development of Inertial Navigation Systems (INS), Global Positioning Systems (GPS), laser guidance systems, and terminal homing guidance systems

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The integration of these technologies enables missiles to navigate accurately to their target coordinates, adjust trajectory mid-flight, and engage moving targets with precision. For instance, in June 2022, Elbit System showcased the Range Extension & Smart Tail (REST) kit for air-to-surface warheads during Eurosatory 2022, as part of its portfolio of precision munitions. The REST kit provides all-weather pinpoint 'fire and forget' capability to ranges of up to 120km and is capable of a steep impact angle for enhanced penetration of hard targets.
 

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There is a trend toward combining diverse defense systems including missile defense, air defense, and ground-based systems into multi-layered architectures. By combining capabilities, such as long-range interceptors, short-range point defenses, and sensor networks, multi-layered defense architectures provide layered protection against a wide range of threats and quick response to attacks including ballistic missiles, cruise missiles, aircraft, and drones.
 

Developing advanced missile guidance systems requires complex and detailed technologies with high engineering expertise. The complexity of integrating guidance, navigation, and control subsystems, as well as ensuring smooth integration with other defense systems, can pose significant technical challenges for manufacturers and defense contractors.

Missile Guidance System Market Trends

Defense agencies worldwide are increasingly investing in military modernization programs aimed at upgrading their weapon systems and capabilities to maintain strategic superiority and addressing the evolving security challenges. As a result, advanced guided munitions that offer enhanced lethality, versatility, and reliability are gaining traction. For instance, in June 2021, Saab AB, in cooperation with the U.S. Army and Raytheon Missiles & Defense, demonstrated the new Guided Multipurpose Munition (GMM). This enabled the defense to accurately target and engage various threats including armored vehicles, buildings, bunkers, and personnel.
 

The integration of missile systems into network-centric warfare architectures enables seamless communication, coordination, and interoperability with other weapon systems, sensors, and control assets. Network-centric warfare integration enhances situational awareness, responsiveness, and effectiveness of missile operations by leveraging real-time data sharing and collaborative engagement capabilities. For instance, in June 2021, Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Ltd. unveiled Sea Breaker, a fifth-generation long-range, autonomous, precision-guided missile system, enabling significant attack performance against a variety of high-value maritime and land targets.
 

Missile Guidance System Market Analysis

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Based on the guidance system, the market is segmented into command guidance system, beam rider guidance system, homing guidance system, and inertial guidance system. The beam rider guidance system segment accounted for 45% of the market share in 2023.
 

• The growing beam rider guidance systems are being integrated into modern missile platforms and weapon systems to augment their capabilities and provide an additional guidance option. Integrating beam rider technology with next-generation missile systems allows for versatility in engagement scenarios and expands the overall operational flexibility of the weapon platform. For instance, in February 2023, Thales and Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a Government of India enterprise, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for setting up manufacturing facilities in India for precision-strike 70mm laser-guided rockets. The command guidance system involved in this is used to illuminate the target area with laser energy. The missile, equipped with a laser seeker or sensor, detects and homes in on the laser spot, allowing for precise targeting and engagement.
   

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Based on the end user, the missile guidance system market is divided into Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), ground vehicles, combat aircraft, ships, submarines. The ground vehicles segment is the fastest growing and is poised to expand at a CAGR of over 6% through 2032.
 

• There is a growing trend towards the integration of precision guidance systems into ground vehicles to enhance their lethality, accuracy, and operational effectiveness. Advanced guidance technologies, such as GPS-aided inertial navigation systems (INS), laser guidance, and millimeter-wave radar guidance, enable ground vehicles to engage targets with greater precision, reducing collateral damage and maximizing mission success rates. For instance, in February 2024, Northrop Grumman, in cooperation with Air Force Global Strike Command, for the US Air Force (USAF) developed the LGM-35A Sentinel, formerly called the Ground Based Strategic Deterrent (GBSD), is an Intercontinental Ballistic Missile (ICBM).
   

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Asia Pacific missile guidance system market is set to observe around 6.5% CAGR from 2024 to 2032. Rapid economic growth, along with increasing military expenditures among countries in the region, has spurred the demand for advanced defense technologies including precision-guided munitions and missile guidance systems. The rising geopolitical tensions and territorial disputes have led to an increase in investments in missile defense capabilities, further enhancing market growth. Advancements in missile technology and the emergence of new threats have prompted governments to modernize their defense systems, leading to increased procurement of advanced guidance systems.
 

Missile Guidance System Market Share

Thales Group is a global leader in aerospace, defense, and security technologies, offering a wide range of products and solutions, including missile guidance systems. With a rich heritage in the defense industry and a strong reputation for innovation and reliability, Thales plays a significant role in the development, manufacturing, and integration of advanced missile guidance systems for military applications worldwide.
 

Boeing, a global aerospace, and defense corporation, plays a significant role in the missile guidance system market through its diverse portfolio of defense products and services. As one of the world's largest defense contractors, Boeing leverages its expertise in aerospace technologies, systems integration, and precision-guided munitions to develop and supply advanced missile guidance systems for military applications worldwide.

Missile Guidance System Market Companies

Major companies operating in the missile guidance system industry are

• Thales
• Boeing
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Elbit Systems Ltd.
• General Dynamics Mission Systems, Inc.
• Raytheon Technologies (RTX)
• BAE Systems
• Honda Motor Co., Ltd.
   

Missile Guidance System Industry News

• In September 2023, Lockheed Martin tested its missiles twice the range of the existing rocket artillery. The test took place at the White Sands Missile Range, known for hosting the world’s first detonation of an atomic bomb and regularly hosting tests of weapons in its vast and open space.
   
• In September 2023, the U.S. Air Force awarded Northrop Grumman Corporation an approximately USD 705 million contract to deliver the Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW), an air-to-ground weapon that accelerates the pivot to a new generation of air power. In this project, Northrop Grumman will further develop the weapon, conduct platform integration, and complete the flight test program for rapid prototyping in preparation for rapid fielding. The company will perform these tasks at its Northridge, California facility and its factory of the future for missile integration at Allegany Ballistics Laboratory in West Virginia.
   

The missile guidance system market research report includes in-depth coverage of the industry with estimates & forecast in terms of revenue (USD Million) from 2018 to 2032, for the following segments

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Market, By Launch Platform

• Air-to-air
• Air-to-surface
• Surface-to-air
• Anti-ship
• Anti-tank

Market, By Guidance System

• Command guidance system
• Beam rider guidance system
• Homing guidance system
• Inertial guidance system

Market, By End User

• Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs)
• Ground vehicles
• Combat aircrafts
• Ships
• Submarines

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • Germany
  • UK
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Rest of Europe
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • Japan
  • India
  • South Korea
  • ANZ
  • Rest of Asia Pacific 
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Mexico
  • Rest of Latin America
• MEA
  • UAE
  • Saudi Arabia
  • South Africa
  • Rest of MEA