The airborne pods market was valued at US$ 2,832.45 million in 2022, and it is expected to reach US$ 4,287.47 million by 2030; it is anticipated to register a CAGR of 5.3% from 2022 to 2030.
Growing Procurement of Military Aircraft and Helicopters Boosting the Airborne Pods Market
The increasing procurement of military aircraft and helicopters for combating the growing instances of airborne attacks is boosting the airborne pods market growth globally. The growing demand for advanced technologies to neutralize missile attacks along with enhancing the process of identification or locating the target area, and surveillance and detection of possible airborne threats is boosting the application of advanced airborne pods in military aircraft, jets, and helicopters. The government bodies of different countries are investing substantially in procuring high-end military aircraft, combat jets, and helicopters to tackle the growing airborne threats, which is also expanding the application scope of airborne pods and advanced sensors globally.
The airborne pods market is segmented on the basis of aircraft type, pod type, sensor technology, and range. In terms of aircraft type, the airborne pods market is categorized into combat aircraft, helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and others. By pod type, the airborne pods market is segmented into intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) pods; targeting pods; and self-protection/infrared countermeasure pods. By sensor technology, the airborne pods market is segmented into electro-optical or infrared sensors, electronic warfare sensors, and infrared countermeasure (IRCM) sensors. In terms of range, the airborne pods market is categorized into short-range, intermediate-range, and long-range. Long-range airborne pods are the most common type of pods utilized in the air defense sector. The airborne pods market is segmented into five main regions—North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, Middle East & Africa, and South America. North America is anticipated to lead the airborne pods market during 2022-2030. Further, Asia Pacific is expected to witness highest CAGR in the airborne pods market during 2022-2030.
The US is leading the market for airborne pods across North America. The government is increasingly focusing on strengthening the country's air defense sector in advanced surveillance, detection, targeting, navigation, and communication sensors and aircraft. In 2020, the US government invested US$ 778 billion in the military expenditure. In 2021, the country spent US$ 806.23 billion on defense activities; in 2022, it reached approximately US$ 877 billion, i.e., ~40% of the world military expenditure. The increasing finances for defense expenditure indicate the country's attention and emphasis on advancing the air defense sector to meet the growing need for security. Meggitt Defense Systems; L3Harris Technologies, Inc.; The Lockheed Martin Corporation; and The Lockheed Martin Corporation are a few of the key airborne pod manufacturers in the US. Technological advancements in surveillance, missile detection, identification, communication, and navigation systems in the defense sector are boosting the demand for airborne pods in the US. In 2023, the US accounted for 13,300 units of military aircraft fleets. As of 2023, 256 x Fairchild Republic A-10 Thunderbolt II ground attack aircraft, 218 x McDonnell Douglas F-15E Strike Eagles, 266 x McDonnell Douglas F-15 Eagle's, 2 x Boeing F-15EX Eagle IIs, 127 Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptors, 922 x General Dynamics F-16 Fighting Falcons, and 310 Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II are a few of the currently active aircraft used by US Air Force.
Furthermore, the Air Force aims to retire 310 aircraft, which includes 42 A-10 Warthogs, as a major part of its fiscal 2024 budget to allocate funds for modernization programs. The proliferation of military aircraft, helicopters, and unmanned aerial vehicles is one of the key application opportunities for airborne pods, which primarily help in proper navigation, detection of targets, identification, and surveillance. Thus, the rise in technological advancements and the need for modern equipment to manage the surveillance, self-defense of aircraft, and security of the country from airborne attacks is boosting the airborne pods market growth in the US.
BAE Systems Plc, Advanced Technologies Group (ATGI), L3Harris Technologies Inc, Lockheed Martin Corporation, Northrop Grumman Corporation, Raytheon Corporation, SaaB AB, Terma A/S, Thales SA, and Ultra-Electronics Holdings Plc are among the key airborne pods market players profiled during this study. In addition, several other important airborne pods market players have been studied and analyzed during the study to get a holistic view of the airborne pods market and its ecosystem.