Radar Link Market Size, Share, Growth & Industry Analysis, By Link Type (Electronic Link, Optical Link), By Component (Antenna, Diplexer, Transmitter, Phase-Lock Loop, Receiver, Processor, Others), By Application (Airborne, Naval, Space, Land), and Regional Forecasts, 2022-2029

The radar link market size was valued at USD 1.55 billion in 2021 and is projected to grow from USD 1.66 billion in 2022 to USD 2.73 billion by 2029, exhibiting a CAGR of 7.39% during the forecast period. The global COVID-19 pandemic has been unprecedented and staggering, with radar links experiencing lower-than-anticipated demand across all regions compared to pre-pandemic levels. Based on our analysis, the global market exhibited a decline of 3.91% in 2020 as compared to 2019.

Radar is used in defense applications to detect air, land, and sea threats such as missiles, ships, aircraft, and spacecraft. The use of optical fibers in radar systems and radar sensors has gained popularity due to the advantages such as reduction in weight, improved efficiency, higher bandwidth, and others. Fiber optics functions by means of the transmission of information and data by sending a pulse of light through optic fiber, the transmitted light forms an electromagnetic carrier wave to modulate data transfer. There are various advantages to using a fiber optic cable in radar links as they have higher bandwidth and deployment of cloud-based solutions.

Moreover, during COVID-19, the market witnessed a decline in its operations. Moreover, with an increase in digitization, the popularity of IoT, and increasing demand for fiber optics cables will see a rise in market growth. Moreover, the rising concern about strengthening defense capabilities leads to the growing procurement of defense equipment, which drives the market's growth. Defense spending by emerging economies in Asia Pacific and the Middle East can be attributed to the continuous need to monitor the rising terrorist activities combined with geopolitical tensions.

RUSSIA-UKRAINE WAR IMPACT 

Russia-Ukraine Conflict is Reshaping the Defense Industry and has an Optimistic Impact on the Market Owing to Rising Demand for Electronic Warfare Systems

The world is under the influence of a new wave of accelerating defense spending due to the Russian-Ukraine war. It can also catalyze changes in procurement priorities.

For example, the successful deployment of new Russian electronic warfare equipment in Syria since 2014 has spurred research and development of communications solutions and the deployment of (possibly incomplete) communications solutions that work in GPS-blamed environments.

Several countries, such as India and China, are prioritizing their defense expenditure to the radar industry to build the required infrastructure facilities to tackle the growing threats to their country. This factor may moderately impact the growth of the market.

However, developed and developing countries such as the U.S., the U.K., India, and China have witnessed an increase in military expenditure in 2021.

According to an analysis by the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI), global military spending has increased by 2.6% and reached USD 1981 billion in 2021.

LATEST TRENDS

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Rising Technological Developments Fostered the Adoption of Compact and Lightweight Hardware Components

In the traditional fiber optic approach, separate optic fibers are used for each point-to-point link. Such systems require three cable segments. The system is segmented into three sections and a total of 8 fibers are used in each system.

Another approach in radar systems is the hybrid RF optical approach. In this system, one fiber carries all the RF signals, and another carries all RF signals in the opposite direction. In addition to fiber-optic transmitters and receivers, this approach also needs RF power combiners and RF demultiplexers.

Nowadays, key OEMs in the optical fiber market have been replaced by all-optical approaches where wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) technology is used to send more than one wavelength through a single optical fiber. Using WDM, it is possible to share a single optical fiber to carry two or more optical channels simultaneously at different optical wavelengths.

Furthermore, this new technology has the potential for replacing multi-fiber cables by carrying several RF signals on different wavelengths, including short-range simultaneously on a single fiber optic, thereby reducing the weight and size of the radar system

DRIVING FACTORS

Rising International Security Threats and Disputes Among Neighboring Countries May Drive Market Growth

There is rise in terrorist activities globally, weighing on countries to enhance their defense budget, and procurement of advanced communication technologies. Rising cross-border issues and geopolitical conflicts across the globe led to an emphasis on strengthening military application system capabilities.

Emerging economies such as China and India are increasing their defense expenditure to modernize the conventional radar communication system. These countries increase spending on the procurement of optical fibers for various advantages such as weight/space saving, high sensitivity, low cost, high data rate, and improved security.

• In December 2019, the U.S. Navy awarded a contract worth USD 250 Billion to Raytheon Company to build additional chipsets of Spy-6 Radars ships to DDG-51 Flight III destroyers.

Moreover, the radar link market growth is attributed to the growing need to improve the safety and security of military personnel and the development of automated radar control, navigation systems, and fire control system. Thus, the advent of using fiber optics in radar systems due to greater bandwidth, faster speed, and better reliability drives the market growth of radar links.

Increase in IT and Telecom Sector in Growing Economies May Boost Market Growth 

There has been an increase in the use of Optical Fiber Cables (OFC). With the increased bandwidth of fiber optics, optic cables have become the preferred transmission medium.

Moreover, owing to the explosion of data traffic from various sources, such as the internet, electronic commerce, computer networks, and multimedia (voice, data, video), a transmission capable of handling higher bandwidths for such large amounts of information, needed a medium. Fiber optic cable, with its relatively infinite bandwidth, has proven to be the solution.

Furthermore, for optoelectronic devices, the cable is used as the main sensing element for measurement and part processing. The deployment of such systems will enable the detection of acoustic frequency stretching signals in harsh environments over long distances, making them ideal for monitoring submarine fiber optic cable systems.

RESTRAINING FACTORS

Complex Installation and Maintenance of Fiber Optic in Radar System Hinders Market Growth

Optical fiber requires the use of specialized and competent professionals not only for testing and evaluation when assembling optical fibers but also for optical fusion splicing. Additionally, fiber optics are difficult to splice, and fiber optic cables are prone to light loss within the fiber due to scattering. Fiber optic cables have limited physical cable arcs and are difficult to cut.

In addition, fiber optic cables are small and compact cables susceptible to cutting and damage during installation and construction. Fiber optic cables can provide tremendous data transmission capabilities. Therefore, recovery, backup, and survivability must be considered when choosing fiber optic cable as the transmission medium. Also, fiber optics are expensive to install as they need to be installed by a professional. They are not as robust as the copper wire or other cables used. Special fiber testing equipment is used during installation, which increases the overall installation cost.  The bend radius of the fiber optic cable. This is the amount of bending that can be allowed before the cable is damaged, has increased attenuation, or limits bandwidth performance. Excessive bending of a fiber optic cable can cause optical signals to refract within the cable and escape through the fiber jacket. Bending can also permanently damage the fiber by causing micro-cracks. This factor makes it difficult to install and maintain fiber optics in radar systems.

SEGMENTATION

By Link Type Analysis

Electronic Link Segment to Dominate Backed by Increased Demand for Radar Systems in Defense Applications

The market is divided into electronic links and optical links based on the link type. The electronic link segment is estimated to be the largest segment due to the growing demand for radar systems from various end-use industries such as aerospace, marine, and land, as well as increasing demand for radar components.

• In November 2021, Echodyne signed a five-year, USD 20 Billion contract with the U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Customs and Border Protection Innovation Team to deploy the company's Compact His radar system at the country's ports and borders.

The optical link segment is expected to be the fastest-growing segment in radar link. Increasing adoption of advanced optical interconnects in surveillance and weather radar systems used in aviation applications, is likely to foster segmental growth. Optical links offer increased speed, security, and accuracy, driving the market growth.

By Component Analysis

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Antenna Segment Shall Witness Growth Owing to its Adoption for Commercial and Military Applications and in the Aviation Sector 

The market is divided into antenna, diplexer, transmitter, phase lock loop, receiver, processor, and others based on component. The antenna segment is estimated to be the largest segment in radar link as the increasing deployment of radar systems for commercial and military applications drives the segment's growth. Radar antennas emit radio waves and receive radio wave echoes. Antennas can detect the exact direction an object is placed. Increasing demand for radar antennas in aviation and marine applications is fueling segment growth.

• In August 2020, radar antenna manufacturer ThinKom Solutions signed an agreement with the U.S. Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). An array antenna system as a next-generation communications solution for U.S. Navy ships.

The receiver segment is expected to grow significantly over the forecast period. The growth of this segment is due to increasing demand for next-generation radar receivers for real-time information in military operations.

• In March 2022, Raytheon Intelligence & Space, a Raytheon Technologies company, was awarded a USD 30 million contract to provide upgrades and spare parts for the U.S. Air Force F-16 fighter jets equipped with AN/ALR-69A(V).

By Application Analysis

Naval Segment to Dominate the Market Owing to the Expansion of Naval Fleets

By application, the market is divided into airborne, naval, space, and land. The naval segment is anticipated to be the largest segment during the forecast period. The segment's growth is due to the growing use of large radar systems on naval ships. Marine radars are used to prevent collision, navigation, and fixed position in the sea.

• In May 2022, Raytheon Missiles & Defense signed a contract worth USD 423 Billion with the U.S. Navy for the production of AN/SPY-6(V) air and missile defense radars for the U.S. Navy. These radar systems will be equipped on seven different types of U.S. Navy ships, including the Arleigh Burke-class Flight III destroyers, amphibious ships, and aircraft carriers.

The airborne segment will witness significant growth during the forecast period owing to the Rapid expansion of the aviation sector, growing spending on new aircraft and airports, and rising demand for advanced weather and airborne surveillance radars drive the segmental growth.

REGIONAL INSIGHTS

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The global market is segmented, based on region, into North America, Europe, Asia Pacific, and the Rest of the World.

North America is expected to be the largest radar link market share during the projection period. The radar link share in North America has increased spending on the procurement of advanced radar systems for military solutions, and the presence of a large number of hardware and software developers across the region drives the growth of the market size and forecast. Important manufacturers such as Lockheed Martin Corporation, General Dynamics Corporation, and Raytheon Technologies Corporation in North America are expected to strengthen the region's dominance in the global market.

During the projection period, Asia Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region. The market is driven by the increasing defense expenditure from China, India, South Korea, and others. The rapid expansion of the aviation sector, growing defense expenditure, and rising demand for radar systems for airborne and naval ships drive the market growth.

According to our market analysis, Europe is anticipated to witness significant growth during the forecast period. The growth is attributed to the military upgrade programs and rising procurement of advanced radar systems from the U.K., France, Russia, and others. The presence of key players such as Radiall, TE Connectivity, and others drives the radar link market growth across Europe.

During the projection period, the rest of the world will also see significant growth during the forecast period. This increase is due to increasing defense expenditure from the Middle Eastern countries such as Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Turkey. This factor may drive market growth.

KEY INDUSTRY PLAYERS

Rise in Use of Advance Radar Systems Using Fiber Optics by Key Players Due to Improved Efficiency in Radar System to Drive Market Growth

In the radar link sector, advanced radar systems using fiber optics technology are being used to manufacture the radar system market for military, naval, and other operations. Multiple key players such as Elbit Systems, Optical Cable Corporation, and others are focused on technology advancements and developing radar link systems to reduce the number of fiber optics to increase the efficiency and reduce the weight and size of the radar link system.

LIST OF KEY COMPANIES PROFILED:

• AFL (U.S.)


• Amphenol Corporation (U.S.)


• Carlisle Companies Inc. (U.S.)


• Elbit Systems (Israel)


• II-VI Incorporated (U.S.)


• Ofs Fitel, LLC (U.S.)


• Optical Cable Corporation (U.S.)


• Radiall (France)


• TE Connectivity (Switzerland)

KEY INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENTS:

• April 2021 - Amphenol Corporation, a provider of high-technology, interconnect, antenna, and sensor solutions, announced that it completed its acquisition of MTS Systems Corporation (MTS).


• June 2022 - Carlisle Interconnect Technologies launched two new high-voltage composite wire families for aerospace applications, a high-voltage composite wire family and an ultra-flexible high-voltage shielded composite wire family. These composite wires offer lightweight and smaller diameters compared to similar types of wires for applications up to 260 degrees Celsius.


• April 2022 - Corning Inc. acquired Saint-Gobain’s Shielding and Optics business unit. This acquisition includes Saint-Gobain Sovis radiation shielding and optics business, in Jouarre, France, and Hot Cell Services, in Kent, Washington, U.S. Owing to this acquisition, Corning Inc. is planning to expand its current radiation shielding business. With this expansion, the company will be able to manufacture and supply products for nuclear power and medical shielding applications and optical components.


• June 2022 - Elbit Systems launched DAiR, a simultaneous multi-mission tactical radar. The DAiR is an X-band software-defined radar system that incorporates hundreds of digital receivers, sophisticated algorithms, and computing cores with artificial intelligence capabilities.


• March 2020 - Carlisle Companies Inc., a family of aerospace grade fiber optic cables, launched a new product, LITEflight EP series, which provides all the performance and benefits of its predecessor necessary to function in the harsh environments of your aerospace and military applications but with lower loss, tighter bend radius, improved thermal stability, and better handling during termination and installation.

REPORT COVERAGE

An Infographic Representation of Radar Link Market

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The research report provides qualitative and quantitative insights into the market and a complete analysis of market size and growth rate for all market segments. The paper also includes an in-depth look at propulsion systems, market dynamics, emerging trends, and the competitive landscape. The report offers the adoption trends of fiber optics by individual segments, recent industry developments such as partnerships, mergers, and acquisitions, consolidated SWOT analysis of key players, Porter's Five Forces analysis, leading business strategies of market players, and key industry trends are among the key insights offered in the report.

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