Top 10 Airborne Radar Companies Advancing Global Aviation Surveillance and Defense

Airborne radar systems are commonly used in aircraft to help with navigation, surveillance, and weather detection. These systems allow pilots to spot objects, track movements, and fly safely in various weather and operating conditions. Airborne radar is used in military aircraft, commercial planes, and unmanned aerial vehicles for daily tasks.

The market is growing as air travel increases and countries focus more on aircraft safety and security. Aircraft are being upgraded with modern radar systems, and drones are being used widely. This has increased the need for reliable airborne radar across various aviation uses.

Based on these factors, the market for airborne radar is projected by Fortune Business Insights to hit USD 30.36 billion in 2034, with a CAGR of 8.9% over the forecast period.

Fortune Business Insights Unveils Top 10 Airborne Radar Manufacturers in the World

1. RTX Corporation

RTX Corporation is one of the top airborne radar companies. In October 2024, the U.S. State Department approved Romania’s Request to acquire four AN/MPQ-64 F1 Sentinel radar systems under a Foreign Military Sale valued at approximately USD 110 million. The deal aims to enhance Romania’s air defense infrastructure and strengthen NATO’s collective security framework. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency submitted the required certification to Congress for review. During the same period, Raytheon, an RTX business, collaborated with the Office of the Secretary of Defense (OSD), the U.S. Naval Force, and the U.S. Air Force’s Laboratory Development and Experimentation office to demonstrate its multi-mission GhostEye® MR advanced medium-range sensor at the Gray Flag 2024 joint test event. The system successfully tracked targets over water, highlighting its operational readiness to address both current and emerging threats.

2. Lockheed Martin Corporation

Lockheed Martin Corporation is a global aerospace and defense company located in Bethesda, Maryland, which specializes in defense technology, advanced systems, and research. In January 2025, the U.S. Air Force moved forward with a USD 118.4 million contract awarded to Lockheed Martin to develop air-defense radar systems. These systems should be capable of detecting, identifying, and tracking enemy missiles, as well as manned and unmanned aircraft. The program supports improved airspace monitoring and threat response capabilities. Supporting modernization efforts, the Air Force earlier placed an additional USD 30 million order in November 2024 with Northrop Grumman for advanced AESA radars for F-16 fighter jets.

3. Thales Group

Thales Group is one of the top airborne radar companies in the world. It is a global technology leader in defense, aerospace, space and digital identity/security. The company is located in France and is an expert in critical systems such as AI, cybersecurity, and quantum tech. In March 2025, during IDEX-NAVDEX 2025, Thales strengthened its regional partnerships by signing a Memorandum of Understanding with EARTH, part of Abu Dhabi based EDGE Group. The agreement focuses on expanding collaboration in radio communications, Identification Friend or Foe (IFF) solutions, and related defense services. Building on these developments, Sweden later confirmed a major procurement deal in April 2025, signing a contract worth around USD 93 million with Thales for the Ground Master 200 Multi-Mission Compact radar. Scheduled for delivery from 2026, the system will replace Sweden’s aging PS-871 radar and improve air and surveillance capabilities for the Swedish Armed Forces.

4. Northrop Grumman Corporation

Northrop Grumman Corporation is an American aerospace and defense company that designs and manufactures systems for aeronautics, defense, missions, and space. The company has a presence in four key sectors: Defense Systems, Aeronautics Systems, Space Systems, and Mission Systems. In April 2023, Northrop Grumman Corporation joined forces with Skunk Works, Crescent Systems, Inc., Lockheed Martin, Long Wave Inc., and Raytheon Intelligence & Space to work on a proposed solution addressing the U.S. Navy’s E-XX TACAMO program requirements.

5. Saab AB

Saab AB is a Swedish aerospace and defense company, an expert in advanced technology for military defense and civil security. The company was founded in 1937 and it develops, manufactures, and maintains systems in aeronautics, weapons, sensors, and underwater technology. In May 2005, Saab expanded its radar and sensor manufacturing capabilities by adding new production facilities across multiple locations. These locations include Halmstad in Sweden, Finland, and the U.K. The company is based in Gothenburg. It develops both airborne and ground-based systems such as the GlobalEye airborne early warning and control aircraft and the Giraffe radar family.

6. Leonardo S.p.A.

Leonardo S.p.A. is a key Italian high-tech multinational focusing on aerospace, defense, and security. The company operates across defense, security, and space domains, including significant work in satellite services and systems. In November 2024, Bahrain’s Ministry of Transportation and Telecommunications awarded Leonardo a contract to upgrade air traffic control and radar systems at Manama Airport. It supports improved aviation safety and airspace efficiency. Earlier in May 2024, South Korea’s Hanwha Systems agreed to supply AESA radar antennas to Italy’s Leonardo. This was Korea’s first export of advanced radar components.

7. Israel Aerospace Industries

Israel Aerospace Industries is Israel’s largest aerospace and defense company, focusing on advanced systems for air, land, space, sea, and cyber domains. The company operates in international defense markets with significant partnerships, including a 40-year collaboration with India. In July 2021, Israel Aerospace Industries integrated offensive and defensive systems to enhance the capabilities of the ‘Sa’ar 6’ corvette and guide the Israeli Navy into a new technological era, under the direction of Israel’s Ministry of Defense and the IDF. These systems are designed to reduce target acquisition response times and provide advanced capability to accurately and simultaneously track a wide range of targets, thereby offering protection to all accompanying forces.

8. Indra Sistemas S.A.

Indra Sistemas S.A. is located in Spain and is a global technology, defense, and consulting company, focusing on air traffic management, defense systems, and digital transformation through its Minsait subsidiary. With a strong global footprint, Indra has a local presence in 46 countries and commercial operations in above 140 countries. In September 2024, Indra signed an agreement with the Spanish Ministry of Defence to equip the Army’s ground-based air defense system with advanced IFF capabilities. It improves airspace security, protects allied aircraft, and prevents friendly fire. In October 2024, Indra completed the execution and testing of the Lanza 3D long-range radar for Air Surveillance Squadron 2 (EVA-2) of the Spanish Air and Space Force. This covered central Spain from its Toledo base.

9. Honeywell International Inc.

Honeywell International Inc. is a multinational company located in North Carolina, focusing on aerospace, building automation, industrial automation, and energy solutions. The company provides energy-efficient technologies for over 10 million buildings. In August 2024, commercial carrier United Airlines in Chicago sought avionics for its Boeing 737 Max aircraft entering service over the next decade. They turned to Honeywell in Phoenix. It is expected to supply technology including 3D weather radar, advanced 25-hour flight data recorders, and upgraded traffic avoidance systems.

10. Hensoldt AG

Hensoldt AG is a top defense and security electronics company located in Germany. The company aims on advanced sensor technologies, including radar, optronics, and electronic warfare for land, sea, cyber domains, and air. In July 2021, Hensoldt, the German sensor solutions specialist, secured a contract to provide new radars to the German Armed Forces. The aim was to modernize airspace surveillance and strengthen Ballistic Missile Defence (BMD) capabilities. Later, in July 2022, ELTA Systems, a part of Israel Aerospace Industries, awarded Hensoldt a USD 9.86 million contract to supply MSSR 2000 ID and MSR10001 secondary radars. These IFF radars meet with the latest Mode 5 NATO standard. They are intended for integration into civil air traffic control and military air defense systems.

How are Growing Air Traffic and Security Needs Driving Radar Adoption?

Airborne radar is becoming a core part of how aircraft operate safely and effectively. With more planes in the sky and wider use of drones, reliable radar systems are getting steady attention. Recent developments show a strong focus on modernization, better threat tracking, and multi-mission use. As safety, surveillance, and defense needs continue to grow, airborne radar will remain important to everyday aviation and security operations.