Global Airborne Surveillance Market Size By Type (LiDAR, Imaging Systems), By Service (Surveillance Training, Data Analysis, Mission Equipped Aircraft), By Platform (Manned Systems, Unmanned System), By Application (Military, Defense, & Security, Commercial), By Geographic Scope And Forecast

Airborne Surveillance Market Size And Forecast

Airborne Surveillance Market size was valued at USD 5491.85 Million in 2024 and is projected to reach USD 7888.03 Million by 2031, growing at a CAGR of 4.63% from 2024 to 2031.

The Global Airborne Surveillance Market is experiencing significant growth due to factors like border security, national defense, maritime surveillance, disaster management, drone adoption, and integration with ground systems. These systems are crucial for counterterrorism operations, law enforcement, and disaster management, providing real-time information during natural disasters, aiding in damage assessment, response coordination, and saving lives. The Global Airborne Surveillance Market report provides a holistic evaluation of the market. The report offers a comprehensive analysis of key segments, trends, drivers, restraints, competitive landscape, and factors that are playing a substantial role in the market.

Global Airborne Surveillance Market Definition

Airborne Surveillance has many industrial applications, but majorly in the military, defense, and security sectors. Airborne surveillance aims at providing early warning information regarding several grounds and marine surveillance activities, such as border security, oil spills, land mapping, accidents, and many more. Many special mission aircraft are specifically produced to serve the very many purposes of airborne surveillance activities. The market has high entry barriers due to high capital investment, high maintenance, and ground support to the personnel during surveillance, competitive operational, maintenance, and logistics services.

Global Airborne Surveillance Market Overview

The Global Airborne Surveillance Market is witnessing significant growth over the forecasted period due to various factors including the growing need for enhancement in border security, national defense, & maritime surveillance, disaster management, growing adoption of drones in e-commerce, and integration with ground systems, amongst others. Airborne surveillance systems are used by governments and military organizations all around the world to improve border security, monitor territorial seas, identify and prevent threats, and gather intelligence in defense operations. Airborne surveillance capabilities are critical for counterterrorism operations and law enforcement organizations because they allow them to monitor and respond to possible threats and criminal activity from the air, allowing for enhanced situational awareness and faster response.

Airborne surveillance systems are critical in disaster management because they provide real-time information during natural catastrophes like hurricanes, earthquakes, and wildfires. These systems aid in the assessment of damages, the coordination of response activities, and the saving of lives. Natural disasters and incidences caused around the world recently are fueling the demand for Airborne surveillance. In 2021, more than 40 people are killed as a volcano erupts in Indonesia. In addition, in December 2021, numerous tornadoes struck down Kentucky and wreaked havoc in four other states, killing 92 people in all, 78 of them were in Kentucky. It became the worst tornado in Kentucky history, outnumbering an 1890 tornado that killed 76 Kentuckians. Hurricane Ida killed 91 people in nine states in August 2021, making landfall as a Category 4 hurricane on Louisiana’s Port Fourchon. Infrastructure failures caused by heavy winds and flooding killed 32 people across the Gulf Coast.

According to the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, further flooding from Ida killed 56 people in the Northeast United States. Airborne surveillance enables easy and remote monitoring, even in unreachable areas, which is one of the major driving factors for the market over the forecast period. The need for real-time information for security and other special purposes, rising accidents, an increase in the number of drones due to the Internet of Things (IoT) and demand for commercial applications, and growing technological advancements in airborne surveillance systems are some other factors anticipated to propel the market growth. However, the high initial costs of investment and maintenance might restrain the market growth of the Airborne Surveillance Market during the forecast period. Budget constraints may prevent governments and organizations from investing in new aerial surveillance systems or upgrading current ones. Economic downturns can cause defense and security spending to be cut. Regular maintenance, calibration, and support are required for airborne surveillance systems. The upkeep and service of these devices may be costly and time-consuming.

Global Airborne Surveillance Market Segmentation Analysis

The Global Airborne Surveillance Market is segmented on the basis of Type, Service, Platform, Application, And Geography.

Airborne Surveillance Market, By Type

• LiDAR
• Imaging System
• Radar

Based on Type, the market is segmented into LiDAR, Imaging Systems, and Radar. The LiDAR segment accounted for the largest market share in 2022 and is projected to grow with a significant CAGR by 2030. Above all, LiDAR technology provides highly accurate, consistent findings; it is substantially more precise. With its automated functionality, it can readily collect information from a variety of locations. It is inexpensive. Purchasing High-End LiDAR Sensors, on the other hand, is Expensive. It provides Fast Acquisition and Processing with Little Human Dependence. It also has more canopy penetration.

Airborne Surveillance Market, By Service

• Surveillance Training
• Data Analysis
• Mission Equipped Aircraft
• Aircraft Leasing

Based on Service, the market is segmented into Surveillance Training, Data Analysis, Mission Equipped Aircraft, and Aircraft Leasing. The Data Analysis is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. Data analysis enables the processing and interpretation of information acquired by airborne sensors in real-time, giving operators a full perspective of the operating environment. This results in increased situational awareness and decision-making. Operators can spot patterns, anomalies, and trends in gathering data that may not be seen in raw data alone. These insights allow for anticipatory reactions to possible risks or opportunities.

Airborne Surveillance Market, By Platform

• Manned Systems
• Unmanned System
• Balloons/Aerostats

Based on Platform, the market is segmented into Manned Systems, Unmanned System, and Balloons/Aerostats. The Unmanned System is projected to grow with a significant CAGR by 2030. For surveillance missions, unmanned devices are often more cost-effective than manned aircraft. They have cheaper operational costs, fewer crew members, and may be deployed without incurring the expenditures of piloted flights. By removing human pilots from airplanes, the risk of human life in potentially hazardous locations or during risky missions is eliminated. This is especially useful in cases involving natural catastrophes, dangerous chemicals, or conflict zones.

Airborne Surveillance Market, By Application

• Military, Defense, and Security
• Commercial

Based on Application, the market is segmented into Military, Defense, & Security, and Commercial. The Military, Defense, & Security segment accounted for the largest market share in 2022 and is projected to grow at the potential CAGR during the forecast period. Early identification of potential hazards, such as arriving planes, cars, or vessels, is possible using airborne surveillance systems. Because of this early notice, military and defense forces can respond quickly and effectively. Airborne surveillance gives an accurate and real-time picture of the operational environment. This situational awareness is essential for comprehending the battlefield or security circumstances and making sound judgments. Airborne surveillance feeds help commanders control the battlefield more effectively by providing a clear image of the tactical situation. This facilitates resource allocation, coordination, and maneuvering. Monitoring and safeguarding borders, coastal seas, and maritime areas requires airborne surveillance. It aids in the detection and deterrence of unlawful acts such as smuggling, illegal immigration, and piracy.

Airborne Surveillance Market, By Geography

• North America
• Europe
• Asia Pacific
• Middle East and Africa
• Latin America

Based on Geography, the Global Airborne Surveillance Market is classified into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East and Africa, and Latin America. North America accounted for the largest market share in 2022 and is projected to grow at a significant CAGR during the forecast period; due to various driving factors including, the rising demand for Airborne Surveillance in battle management systems across North America, growing investment in security and military intelligence, growing demand for national security, local security, and foreign security across the region. The United States contributed the largest revenue. However, Asia Pacific is expected to grow with the highest CAGR during the forecasted period.

Key Players

The “Global Airborne Surveillance Market” study report will provide valuable insight with an emphasis on the global market. The major players in the market are Raytheon, Lockheed Martin, Saab, BAE Systems, Safran, Thales, Leica Geosystems, Teledyne Technologies, Leonardo, FLIR Systems, Northrop Grumman, L-3 Wescam, among others. This section provides a company overview, ranking analysis, company regional and industry footprint, and ACE Matrix.

Our market analysis also entails a section solely dedicated to such major players wherein our analysts provide an insight into the financial statements of all the major players, along with product benchmarking and SWOT analysis.

Key Developments

• In July 2023, the Polish Ministry of National Defence ordered two Saab 340 Airborne Early Warning (AEW) aircraft from Saab. The contract duration is 2023-2025, and the order value is roughly USD 56.03 million.
• In July 2023, The Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and Thales agreed to provide and deploy SMART-L Multi-Mission Fixed (MM/F) long-range radars. The SMART-L MM/F is a next-generation Active Electronically Scanned Array (AESA) multi-mission land-based radar that enables long-range air and surface surveillance as well as target determination.
• In June 2023, Raytheon Company’s Bedford division announced a USD 36.3 million contract for the US Army’s Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment System surveillance program, while its Space and Airborne Systems division disclosed new data link communication technology for the US Navy.
• In November 2022, Leonardo secured a contract with Safran Electronics & Defence to develop and supply the Euroflir 610 high-performance airborne electro-optical (optronic) system for the Eurodrone program. The Euroflir 610, based on the Euroflir 410 architecture, is a 25-inch airborne optronic system critical for the European MALE UAV’s ISTAR missions (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance).

Ace Matrix Analysis

The Ace Matrix provided in the report would help to understand how the major key players involved in this industry are performing as we provide a ranking for these companies based on various factors such as service features & innovations, scalability, innovation of services, industry coverage, industry reach, and growth roadmap. Based on these factors, we rank the companies into four categories as Active, Cutting Edge, Emerging, and Innovators.

Market Attractiveness

The image of market attractiveness provided would further help to get information about the region that is majorly leading in the Global Airborne Surveillance Market. We cover the major impacting factors that are responsible for driving the industry growth in the given region.

Porter’s Five Forces

The image provided would further help to get information about Porter’s five forces framework providing a blueprint for understanding the behavior of competitors and a player’s strategic positioning in the respective industry. Porter’s five forces model can be used to assess the competitive landscape in the Global Airborne Surveillance Market, gauge the attractiveness of a certain sector, and assess investment possibilities.