Airborne Sensors Market Report 2026

The airborne sensors market size has grown strongly in recent years. It will grow from $11.26 billion in 2025 to $12.08 billion in 2026 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 7.3%. The growth in the historic period can be attributed to increasing adoption of airborne imaging and sensing technologies for geospatial surveying, rising deployment of sensors on drones for cost-effective data collection, growth in defense and intelligence applications requiring advanced airborne sensing, advancements in pressure and temperature sensor technologies enhancing measurement accuracy, expanding use of airborne sensors in environmental monitoring and climate research.

The airborne sensors market size is expected to see strong growth in the next few years. It will grow to $15.53 billion in 2030 at a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 6.5%. The growth in the forecast period can be attributed to growing demand for multi-sensor payloads integrating speed and thermal sensing, rising investment in high-resolution and real-time airborne data acquisition systems, increasing adoption of autonomous airborne platforms requiring advanced sensor suites, development of lightweight and energy-efficient sensors for extended flight endurance, expansion of commercial applications. Major trends in the forecast period include ai-powered data analysis for real-time airborne sensor interpretation, autonomous drone and uav sensor deployment for remote data collection, cloud-based storage and processing for high-volume sensor data, integration of iot-enabled sensors for connected airborne platforms, development of multi-modal sensors combining optical, infrared, and radar capabilities.

Increased terrorist activities are expected to drive the growth of the airborne sensors market going forward. Terrorist activities involve criminal or violent acts carried out by individuals or groups affiliated with terrorist organizations. These activities are fueling the demand for airborne sensors in defense applications to protect borders and critical infrastructure from terrorist threats. For instance, in February 2024, the Institute for Economics & Peace (IEP), an Australia-based non-profit think tank, reported that terrorism continues to pose a significant global threat, with total deaths rising to 8,352 in 2023, up from 6,823 in 2022. The lethality rate has increased for the first time in five years. Therefore, the rise in terrorist activities is driving the demand for airborne sensors.

Major companies operating in the airborne sensors market are focusing on developing advanced airborne LiDAR sensors to improve high-resolution terrain mapping, obstacle detection, and precision navigation capabilities. An airborne LiDAR sensor is a laser-based remote sensing system mounted on aircraft that captures precise distance measurements to the ground or objects, producing detailed 3D maps for applications such as topography, forestry, and infrastructure monitoring. For example, in March 2024, JOUAV, a China-based drone manufacturer, launched the JoLiDAR-1000 airborne LiDAR sensor. This sensor is designed for drones and represents a significant advancement in LiDAR technology for UAV applications like GIS, surveying, and precision power line inspection. It features a 1000 m medium-range laser scanner with full-frequency RTK+IMU fusion technology, 5 mm measurement accuracy, a 100° field of view, and a compact, lightweight design for easy deployment. The JoLiDAR-1000 eliminates the need for base stations or ground control points, enabling rapid and accurate data acquisition across diverse applications.

In October 2025, Anduril Industries, a US-based defense technology company, acquired American Infrared Solutions (AIRS) for an undisclosed amount. The acquisition aims to strengthen Anduril’s sensing technology portfolio by integrating AIRS’ advanced cooled infrared cameras into its imaging systems. It also positions Anduril as a leading supplier of cooled infrared components, expanding its capabilities across air, space, ground, and maritime defense as well as commercial markets. American Infrared Solutions (AIRS) is a US-based manufacturer of high-performance cooled infrared cameras and components.

Major companies operating in the airborne sensors market are Hexagon AB, Thales Group, Raytheon Technologies Corp., Lockheed Martin Corporation, information systems laboratories, Teledyne Geospatial, General Dynamics Corporation, Honeywell International Inc., ITT Inc., AVT Airborne Sensing GmbH, Northrop Grumman Corporation, L3Harris Technologies Inc., Conax Technologies, Meggitt PLC, Curtiss-Wright Corporation, Ametek Inc., Safran SA, General Electric Co., Airbus SE, BAE Systems PLC, Optasense, Rolta India Ltd.

Europe was the largest region in the airborne sensors market in 2025. Asia-Pacific is expected to be the fastest-growing region in the forecast period. The regions covered in the airborne sensors market report are Asia-Pacific, South East Asia, Western Europe, Eastern Europe, North America, South America, Middle East, Africa.

Note that the outlook for this market is being affected by rapid changes in trade relations and tariffs globally. The report will be updated prior to delivery to reflect the latest status, including revised forecasts and quantified impact analysis. The report’s Recommendations and Conclusions sections will be updated to give strategies for entities dealing with the fast-moving international environment.

Tariffs have affected the aircraft cabin interior market by increasing the cost of imported components such as seats, lighting systems, and galley equipment, disrupting supply chains and slowing project timelines. Segments like aircraft seating, cabin panels, and stowage solutions are most affected, particularly in regions dependent on cross-border manufacturing, such as North America and Asia-Pacific. However, tariffs have also encouraged some manufacturers to localize production, invest in domestic supply chains, and innovate cost-effective cabin solutions potentially creating long-term benefits for regional markets.

The airborne sensors research report is one of a series of new reports that provides airborne sensors statistics, including airborne sensors industry global market size, regional shares, competitors with airborne sensors market share, detailed airborne sensors market segments, market trends, and opportunities, and any further data you may need to thrive in the airborne sensors industry. This airborne sensors market research report delivers a complete perspective of everything you need, with an in-depth analysis of the current and future scenarios of the industry.

Airborne sensors are devices installed on airborne platforms such as aircraft, helicopters, drones, or satellites, designed to gather data from the Earth's surface or atmosphere. These sensors can capture various types of information, including imagery, elevation data, heat signatures, and more. Their capability to cover vast areas quickly and efficiently makes them essential for applications in surveying, intelligence gathering, and scientific research.

There are two primary types such as non-scanning and scanning. Non-scanning encompasses profile recorders like laser spectrometers or laser altimeters, which are active, non-scanning, and non-imaging sensors. These sensors consist of both hardware and software components. Applications for these technologies span defense and commercial aircraft, as well as other relevant fields.

The countries covered in the airborne sensors market report are Australia, Brazil, China, France, Germany, India, Indonesia, Japan, Taiwan, Russia, South Korea, UK, USA, Canada, Italy, Spain.

The airborne sensors market consists of sales of pressure sensors, temperature sensors, torque sensors, motion sensors, speed sensors, and other sensors. Values in this market are ‘factory gate’ values, that is the value of goods sold by the manufacturers or creators of the goods, whether to other entities (including downstream manufacturers, wholesalers, distributors, and retailers) or directly to end customers. The value of goods in this market includes related services sold by the creators of the goods.

The market value is defined as the revenues that enterprises gain from the sale of goods and/or services within the specified market and geography through sales, grants, or donations in terms of the currency (in USD unless otherwise specified).

The revenues for a specified geography are consumption values that are revenues generated by organizations in the specified geography within the market, irrespective of where they are produced. It does not include revenues from resales along the supply chain, either further along the supply chain or as part of other products.

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