Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Market - By Frequency Band (Single-frequency, Multi-frequency), By Component (Receiver, Transmitter, Antenna), By Application (Spacecraft, Aircraft, UAV), By End-use (Research & Commercial Applications, Defense), Forecast, 2023 – 2032

Synthetic Aperture Radar Market Size

Synthetic Aperture Radar Market size valued at USD 5.5 Billion in 2022 and is set to register at a 10% CAGR between 2023 and 2032.

The need for geospatial information is increasing in many sectors including agriculture, urban planning, infrastructure, and natural resource management. SAR provides the opportunity to make informed decisions and develop resources by providing detailed & accurate geospatial information, thus driving the SAR market statistics.

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Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) is a remote sensing technique used to acquire high-resolution images and data of the Earth's surface. It works by emitting a microwave signal in the target area and capturing the signal that returns to the radar sensor.

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The high cost of SAR technology (including satellite or aerial platforms, radar equipment, and data processing systems) can be a barrier for small organizations or countries with limited capital. Cost considerations may limit the widespread use of SAR systems in some applications. In addition, technological advancements and advancements in SAR satellite missions have helped reduce costs over time. The development of small & low-cost SAR satellites, advancements in radar technology, and the growth of commercial SAR vendors have played a role in developing SAR technology.

Synthetic Aperture Radar Market Trends

The increasing use of SAR in the defense & military industry is due to the unique capabilities it provides including good situational awareness, day & night operations, comprehensive coverage, target acquisition & tracking, easy operation, and integration with co-integrated ISR systems. These factors have increased the importance of SAR in critical operations, threats, and decision-making in defense & military. In addition, applications such as fire control (missile or weapon), precision control, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance, and air & space operations are expected to witness high adoption of ground-based systems. Furthermore, advancements in SAR technology have resulted in better performance, high-resolution images, and lower costs. The availability of compact and affordable SAR platforms, such as small satellites & Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS), has facilitated the use of SAR in defense & military applications. Technological advancements and cost reduction make it possible to use SAR in defense &military operations.

Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) Market Analysis

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Based on frequency band, the synthetic aperture radar market is bifurcated into single-frequency band [X band, C band, L band, K/Ku/Ka band] and multi-frequency band. The single-frequency S band segment is expected to grow at a CAGR of over 10% during the forecast period. The S-band frequency range typically covers frequencies between 2 GHz to 4 GHz. It has applications in many industries, which include environmental monitoring, agriculture, forestry, infrastructure planning, land cover, and disaster management. In addition, S-band frequency balance equals spatial resolution and depth of penetration, making it suitable for various purposes. In addition, there is increasing use of S-band SAR at airports to identify and show the position of airplanes in the terminal area across a 100-kilometer range. These radars can also monitor the weather & aircraft location in the nearby region, supporting the overall market growth.

Based on component, the synthetic aperture radar market is segmented into receiver, transmitter, and antenna. The       receiver segment reported an annual sales of over USD 3 Billion in 2022. The rising need for data processing & analysis is likely to escalate the receiver segment growth. SAR systems generate vast amounts of data that require efficient processing & analysis to extract meaningful information. The receiver digitizes the received analog signals, enabling further analysis and image formation. With advancements in receiver technology, SAR systems can handle larger data volumes and perform real-time processing, which are crucial for time-sensitive applications such as disaster response or surveillance. The demand for SAR systems with advanced data processing capabilities is expected to fuel segment growth.

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Based on application, the market is segmented into spacecraft, aircraft, and UAV. The UAV segment expanded at over 10% CAGR through 2032. The rising surveillance activities of the defense sectors of various countries will promote the synthetic aperture radar market growth during the forecast timeframe. The increasing use of UAVs in various commercial applications, such as monitoring, surveying & mapping, precision agriculture, aerial remote sensing, and product delivery, is also contributing to market growth. In February 2023, Skye Air Mobility introduced Skye UTM, a drone system to monitor traffic. These innovations are anticipated to drive the SAR market.

Based on end-use, the synthetic aperture radar market is segmented into research & commercial application and defense sector. The research & commercial segment held a market share of over 40% in 2022. The increasing government initiatives to protect the public from man-made & environmental hazards are expected to drive the segment during the forecast timeframe. SAR technology plays a crucial role in detecting and monitoring oil spills by capturing repeat-pass data over time to monitor spill movement and behavior.

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North America SAR market is expected to cross USD 5 Billion during the projected timeline. This is due to the presence of numerous SAR manufacturers as well as high military spending in the region to improve the current detection systems. The U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) has partnered with NASA to increase investments in space-based SAR satellite programs, which will also improve market growth. Furthermore, the region is witnessing the increasing use of SAR technology in agriculture and the environment to monitor crop health, estimate biomass, and to identify land changes. SAR-based data provides better insights for proper farming, improved resource allocation, and natural resource management. These factors are augmenting the growth of the market in studied period.

Synthetic Aperture Radar Market Share

Major companies operating in the synthetic aperture radar market include

• Airbus S.A.S
• ASELSAN S. A.
• BAE Systems
• Capella Space
• CGG
• UrtheCast Corp.
• Thales Group
• Skygeo 
• Saab AB
• Raytheon Company
• OHB Systems AG
• Northrop Grumman Corporation
• Lockheed Martin Corporation
• Leonardo SPA

Synthetic Aperture Radar Market News

• In September 2022, the intelligence and space business of Raytheon Technologies received a five-year, USD 184 million contract to supply the U.S. Air Force with Advanced Synthetic Aperture Radar System 2D sensors and related equipment.
• In May 2022, ICEYE announced the start of a pilot activity in partnership with the European Space Agency (ESA) to support the Copernicus Emergency Management Services (CEMS) team with flood forecasting. Through the move, ICEYE will provide critical data to ESA and CEMS throughout 2022. The data will include the depth and extent of flooding at the structure level. The pilot will also allow CEMS to assess ICEYE's understanding of flooding and explore potential applications.

This Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) 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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By Frequency

• Single-frequency Band
  • X band
  • C band
  • S band
  • L band
  • K/Ku/Ka band
• Multi-frequency Band

By Application

• Spacecraft
• Aircraft
• UAV

By Component

• Receiver
• Transmitter
• Antenna

By End-use

• Research & Commercial Applications
  • Public Safety
  • Environmental Monitoring
  • Natural Resource Exploration
  • Others
• Defense

The above information is provided for the following regions and countries

• North America
  • U.S.
  • Canada
• Europe
  • UK
  • Germany
  • France
  • Italy
  • Spain
  • Russia
• Asia Pacific
  • China
  • India
  • Japan
  • South Korea
  • Australia
• Latin America
  • Brazil
  • Argentina
• MEA
  • UAE
  • South Africa
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Israel
  • Turkey