Aircraft Antennas Market Size, Share and Industry Analysis By Platform (Fixed-Wing, Rotary-Wing), By Frequency Band (VHF & UHF Band, Ka/Ku/K Band, HF Band, X Band, and C Band Others), By End-User (OEM, Aftermarket), By Application (Communication, Navigation & Surveillance) and Regional Forecast 2019 to 2026

The global aircraft antennas market size was valued at USD 472.4 million in 2018 and is projected to reach USD 626.6 million by 2026, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.49% during the forecast period from 2019 – 2026.

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An aircraft antenna is a device that is used to navigate the aircraft by using radio frequencies. It is used to communicate with other aircraft as well as ground-based control stations. Navigation and communication are the prime applications of aircraft antennas. This can be found outside the aircraft as well as inside the aircraft. These are mounted on top or sometimes the bottom of the aircraft. Advanced materials are used to develop antennas for unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV). Also, reconfigurable liquid antennas for aircraft adaptability is one of the upcoming market trends. The types of aircraft antennas are usually defined based on their purposes, such as communication antenna, GPS antenna, Loran antenna, loop antenna, marker beacon antenna, navigation antenna, and others.

The increasing adoption of aircraft antennas in a military drone for search d rescue (SAR) operation is projected to fuel the aircraft antennas market growth. Additionally, the increasing number of aircraft deliveries are playing a key role in the growth of the market. For instance, in 2018, Boeing (U.S.) delivered 806 commercial aircraft as compared to the 763 commercial aircraft in the year 2017, whereas, Airbus (Netherlands) delivered more than 800 commercial aircraft, as compared to 718 in the year 2017. An increase in the demand for commercial aircraft deliveries and returning of Boring 737 max in the service during the forecast period is expected to propel the market for commercial aircraft antenna systems and components.

LATEST TRENDS

Rising Adoption of Multi-Platform Anti-Jam GPS Navigation Antenna (MAGNA) is a Significant Market Trend

Mayflower Communications and BAE Systems have developed MAGNA under the sponsorship of the U.S. Navy to support GPS protection requirements for the sea, air, and ground platforms. MAGNA is a technologically advanced anti-jam GPS navigation antenna. This GPS anti-jam antenna is used in military aircraft during battlefield operations. Magna helps to support the transmission & reception of Iridium communications signals. These signals provide greater than 90 dB J/S anti-jam protection to the aircraft. Therefore, increasing the adoption of anti-jam antennas in military aircraft would propel the demand for aircraft antennas.

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3D Printing Process Help to Play a Key Role in Aircraft Antenna Market

Recently, 3D printing technology has been increasingly adopted for the fabrication of 3D electromagnetic complex structures. This method has multiple advantages over conventional fabrication technology. 3D printing technology provides lightweight and low-cost aircraft antennas. The OEMs in this market have opportunities to produce aircraft antenna connectors, aircraft antenna sealants, aircraft antenna doublers, and other crucial components through additive manufacturing technologies.

Titanium, stainless steel, and aluminum metals are used to build an aircraft antenna. Out of these, aluminum is the most preferred building material for aircraft antennas. This is because of its high strength capacity when exposed to shock & vibration. It is also lightweight with strong corrosion resistance. Therefore, increasing the procurement of 3D printed aluminum antennas helps to contribute to market growth.

DRIVING FACTORS

Rising Demand for Military UAVs to Drive Growth

Rising investments in military UAVs for developing high-tech drones to support several battlefield applications are anticipated to boost the market. Increasing research and development (R&D) activities are propelling the usage of military UAVs. UAVs need a significant amount of electronic components such as a transponder antenna to transmit and receive communication signals. Aircraft antennas are one of the most important electronic components of any UAV. It allows the aircraft communication system to transmit & receive information from the ground-based communication station.

JEM Engineering LLC based in Maryland, United States, manufacture and developed aircraft antennas for UAVs. These antennas are used in the UAV for ground‐to‐air and air‐to‐ground communication. UAV antenna has several applications that include signals intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance. Therefore, increasing demand for military drones is projected to upsurge the market growth.

The trend of Modernization of Air Traffic Management Infrastructures to Boost The Market Growth

The demand for technologically advanced aircraft has increased drastically over the last ten years. Major key players in the developed countries are currently focusing on manufacturing and supplying technologically advanced aircraft. Modernization of air traffic management infrastructure improves the efficiency of the global aviation industry, through connecting multiple aircraft in their airspace. Air traffic management infrastructure consists of air navigation services to handle air traffic more efficiently to reduce flight delays. Aircraft antenna helps to improve the connectivity of the aircraft, from air-to-air and air-to-ground. Due to this, the demand for aircraft antennas in air traffic management is supporting the growth of the market.

The Federal Aviation Administration (the U.S.) has started implementing its modernization and up-gradation program known as the Next Generation Air Transportation System. Under this program, the current aviation communication infrastructure will get updated in the U.S. aviation industry. This will help to increase the safety of air passengers and the efficiency of air traffic management systems. Hence, the demand for aircraft antennas would upsurge.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Aircraft Backlogs May Restrict the Market Growth

Major restraints affecting the aircraft antennas growth market include aircraft order cancellation and aircraft backlog orders. In 2018, the Boeing Company delivered 806 aircraft across the globe. Whereas, in 2019, it delivered only 380 aircraft. The decline in the aircraft deliveries is majorly occurring due to the cancellation of orders of the Boeing 737 MAX jet. Such incidence affected the overall market demand for aircraft antenna systems in the year 2019.

SEGMENTATION

By Platform Analysis

Rising Government Funding to Favor Growth of Fixed-wing Segment

Based on the platform, the market is classified into fixed-wing and rotary-wing. The fixed-wing segment is further segregated into commercial aircraft, business aircraft, regional jets, general aviation, military aircraft, and UAVs. The fixed-wing segment would showcase the fastest growth during the forecast period. It is due to the increased funding from several governments across the globe. In commercial aircraft such as Boeing 767, Airbus A320, several aircraft antennas are used for in-flight broadband communication. The AV‐530 aircraft antenna is majorly used in commercial aircraft for in-flight broadband communication.

In the case of the rotary-wing segment, it is further classified into a military helicopter, civil helicopter, and UAVs. The military helicopter, as well as civil helicopter, uses a technologically advanced global positioning system (GPS) antenna for surveillance & reconnaissance. The increasing use of GPS antennas in the helicopter industry is supporting the market growth. Furthermore, lucrative growth opportunities in UAVs are estimated to boost market growth throughout the forecast period.

By Frequency Band Analysis

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VHF & UHF Segment to Generate Highest Share Owing to Usage of Wireless Communication

By frequency band, the market segments comprise of very high frequency (VHF) & ultra-high frequency (UHF) band, Ka/Ku/K band, high frequency (HF) band, X band, C band, and others. Amongst these, the very high frequency (VHF) & ultra-high frequency (UHF) band segment is likely to hold the largest market share during the forecast period. It would occur due to the increasing adoption of in-flight wireless communication technology. The UHF segment is projected to grow at a significant rate during the forecast period. It is due to the several applications of the UHF antenna in aircraft.

The UHF antenna is used for in-flight television broadcasting and radio communications between aircraft and earth-based tracking stations. Ultra-high frequency (UHF) are radio frequencies operated in the range between 300 megahertz and 3 gigahertzes. UHF and HF waves are suitable for line-of-sight applications that require high-end accuracy. The X band is microwave radiofrequency. It is used for in-flight radar communication with the earth-based station. C band antenna is majorly used for in-flight radio communication. The Ka/Ku/K band segment is expected to grow at the fastest rate, due to the rapid adoption of 5G in aviation. Early adoption of 5G connectivity in the aviation sector is expected to drive the demand for the Ka/Ku/K band segment during the forecast period.

By End-User Analysis

Increasing procurement of Ka/Ku/K Band Antenna Supporting the Growth of the Market

Based on end-user, the market is classified into original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) and aftermarket. The OEM segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period due to the increasing number of aircraft deliveries across the globe from the past few decades. The growth of the OEM segment is attributable to the technological advancements in aircraft antennas to perform real-time aircraft operations, as well as improved reliability of the in-flight wireless communication. The growth of the OEM segment is supported by the introduction of UAVs, with superior connectivity and networking capabilities.

The aftermarket segment is expected to hold the largest market share during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to the development of air traffic telecommunication infrastructures and up-gradation programs from airlines. The up-gradation of the Ka/Ku/K band antenna contract from several airlines would drive the growth of the market.  

By Application Analysis

Adoption of Satellite Communication in the Aircraft

By application, the market is classified into communication and navigation & surveillance. Amongst these, the navigation & surveillance segment is set to hold the largest market share during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to the increasing use of air traffic control transponder antennas in several commercial and military aircraft.

Additionally, the communication segment is projected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. SATCOM antenna is the radio communication intermediate between aircraft pilot and ground-based communication centers. Growth in the communication system is attributed to the increasing use of satellite communication (SATCOM) antennas in aircraft. SATCOM antenna amplifies radio telecommunications signals through a transponder which is located in the aircraft. These transponders create a communication channel between a source of transmitter and a receiver at different locations on the ground-based station.

REGIONAL ANALYSIS

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North America is anticipated to hold the largest aircraft antennas market share during the forecast period. This growth is attributed to the rising number of investments in developing technologically advanced aircraft antennas. The increasing use of UHF-enabled military UAVs for border surveillance activities in countries such as the U.S. is also expected to boost the market growth in North America.

Asia Pacific is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period. It is due to the high demand for commercial UAVs from countries such as China and Japan. Advancements in data transmission technologies and the design of aircraft antennas are expected to fuel the growth of the market during the forecast period.

Europe will showcase significant growth during the forecast period. It is due to the increase in aircraft deliveries in the region. In France, the increasing use of reconfigurable liquid antennas in the aircraft is projected to propel the growth of the market across Europe.

In the rest of the world, the Middle East & Africa countries such as Israel is the major exporter of military UAVs for the defense sector across the globe. South Africa adopted military UAVs to carry out surveillance activities. In the military UAVs, several GPS antennas are used for a surveillance operation. Increasing the use of UAVs for surveillance, search, and rescue operation in Africa help to grow the market.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Key Players Help to Maintain Strong leadership Position across Several Aircraft Antenna-Related Market

The major key players of the market are significantly investing in research & development (R&D) capabilities to develop lightweight and 3D printed aircraft antennas. The key players are establishing a long-term agreement with suppliers to improve profit margin.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• Antcom Corporation


• Azimut Benetti S.p.A.


• The Boeing Company


• Cobham plc


• Harris Corporation


• Honeywell International Inc.


• McMurdo Limited


• TECOM Investment FZ‐LLC          

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• In July 2021, Icelandair announced that they are ready roll out Viasat in-flight connectivity (IFC) service across its fleet of 737 MAX-9 aircraft, following a supplemental type certificate (STC) issued by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) for the aircraft type in June.


• In July 2021, Satellite operator Intelsat has delivered Intelsat 2Ku in-flight antenna systems designed for the A321neo aircraft to Airbus. The A321 fitted with 2Ku in-flight antenna will be delivered to Hong Kong’s flagship airline Cathay Pacific for use on commercial flights.


• In May 2021, the Antcom Corporation announced that they are set to deliver their high-filtering antennas with interference robustness. These antennas will be equipped with high-filtering amplifiers that reject out-of-band interference, protecting GPS L1 and L2 signals from potential disruption in a crowded RF spectrum, including 5G communications signals and other interference sources.


• In March 2021, Honeywell has signed an agreement to acquire a majority stake in Fiplex Communications. The acquisition will expand the in-building connectivity and communications solutions that Honeywell provides to its customers

FUTURE OUTLOOK

An aircraft antenna is used to build a cost-effective communication system in the aircraft. This communication system uses a range of radio frequencies to navigate the aircraft. The future trend of the market is to adopt the 3D printed cost-effective aircraft antennas components. Several applications of aircraft antennas in the commercial and defense sector are helping to generate growth opportunities during the forecast period.

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of Aircraft Antennas Market

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The aircraft antenna market report offers qualitative and quantitative insights and aftermarket requirements, as well as a detailed analysis of the market size & growth rate of all the segments in the market.

Along with this, the report provides an elaborative analysis of market dynamics, trends, and competitive landscape. Key insights offered in the report are the trends in the market, recent industry developments such as partnerships, mergers & acquisitions, consolidated SWOT analysis of key players, Porter’s five forces analysis, business strategies of leading market players, and macro and micro-economic indicators.

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